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diff --git a/29650-h/29650-h.htm b/29650-h/29650-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ea1e14c --- /dev/null +++ b/29650-h/29650-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,12285 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" +"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Greater Power, by Harold Bindloss.</title> + +<style type="text/css"> + @media screen { + hr.pb {margin:30px 0; width:100%; border:none;border-top:thin dashed silver;} + .pagenum {display: inline; font-size: x-small; text-align: right; position: absolute; right: 2%; padding: 1px 3px; font-style: normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:normal; text-decoration: none; background-color: inherit; border:1px solid #eee;} + .pncolor {color: silver;} + } + @media print { + hr.pb {border:none;page-break-after: always;} + .pagenum { display:none; } + } + a {text-decoration: none;} + p.cg {margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; text-align: left !important; width: 101%;} + body {margin-left: 11%; margin-right: 10%;} + hr.p20 {width: 20%; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver; clear:both; margin: 1em auto;} + td.chalgn {text-align:right; margin-top:0; padding-right:1em;} + .figcenter {margin: 2em auto 2em auto; text-align: center; width: auto;} + .figtag {height: 1px;} + .chsp {margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em;} + p {margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 0.5em;} + hr.toprule {width: 65%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver; clear:both;} + .caption {font-size: 90%; text-align:center;} + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both;} + p.center {text-align: center !important;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps} + h1,h2,h3 {text-align:center; font-weight:normal;} + p.tp {font-size:1em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:center;} + h1 {font-size:1.6em;} +</style> + +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Greater Power, by +Harold Bindloss and W. Herbert Dunton + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Greater Power + +Author: Harold Bindloss + W. Herbert Dunton + +Release Date: August 9, 2009 [EBook #29650] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GREATER POWER *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class='figtag'> +<a name='linki_1' id='linki_1'></a> +</div> +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/illus-cvr.jpg' alt='' title='' width='354' height='409' /><br /> +</div> +<hr class='pb' /> +<p style='text-align:center;margin-top:1.5em;margin-bottom:1em;font-size:1.8em;'>THE GREATER POWER</p> +<hr class='pb' /> +<table summary=''><tr><td> +<p class='center'>BY SAME AUTHOR<br /> +</p> +<p class='cg'><span class='smcap'>The Cattle Baron’s Daughter</span><br /> +<span class='smcap'>Alton Of Somasco</span><br /> +<span class='smcap'>Dust Of Conflict</span><br /> +<span class='smcap'>Winston Of The Prairie</span><br /> +<span class='smcap'>For Jacinta</span><br /> +<span class='smcap'>Delilah Of The Snows</span><br /> +<span class='smcap'>By Right Of Purchase</span><br /> +<span class='smcap'>Lorimer Of The Northwest</span></p> +</td></tr></table> +<hr class='pb' /> +<div class='figtag'> +<a name='linki_2' id='linki_2'></a> +</div> +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/illus-fpc.jpg' alt='' title='' width='406' height='627' /><br /> +<p class='caption'> +“<span class='smcap'>I am afraid I’m going to lose him, after all.</span>”<br /> +<i>Page 174</i><br /> +</p> +</div> +<hr class='pb' /> +<p class='tp' style='margin-top:40px;font-size:1.6em;'><i>The</i></p> +<p class='tp' style='font-size:1.6em;margin-bottom:40px;'>GREATER POWER</p> +<p class='tp' style='font-size:1.4em;margin-bottom:20px;'>BY HAROLD BINDLOSS</p> +<p class='tp' style='font-style:italic;margin-bottom:40px;'>Author of “The Cattle Baron’s Daughter,”<br />“By Right of Purchase,” “Lorimer of the Northwest,”<br />“Thrice Armed,” etc.</p> +<p class='tp' ><i>With Frontispiece in Colours by</i></p> +<p class='tp' >W. HERBERT DUNTON</p> +<div style='margin:10px auto; text-align:center;'><img alt='emblem' src='images/illus-emb.jpg' /></div> +<p class='tp' >NEW YORK<br /><span style='font-size:larger;'>FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY</span><br />PUBLISHERS</p> +<hr class='pb' /> +<p class='center'><span class='smcap'>Copyright, 1909, By</span><br /> +<br /> +FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY<br /> +</p> +<hr class='p20' /> +<p class='center'><br /> +<i>All Rights Reserved</i><br /> +<br /> +<i>September, 1909</i></p> +<hr class='pb' /> +<h3>CONTENTS</h3> +<table border='0' cellpadding='2' cellspacing='0' summary='Contents' style='margin:1em auto;'> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'><span style='font-size:0.8em'>CHAPTER</span></td> + <td /> + <td valign='top' align='right'><span style='font-size:0.8em'>PAGE</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>I</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>Overburdened</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_I_OVERBURDENED'>1</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>II</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>The Trail</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_II_THE_TRAIL'>11</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>III</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>Waynefleet’s Ranch</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_III_WAYNEFLEETS_RANCH'>22</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>IV</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>Laura Waynefleet’s Wish</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_IV_LAURA_WAYNEFLEETS_WISH'>34</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>V</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>The Flood</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_V_THE_FLOOD'>45</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>VI</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>The Breaking of the Dam</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_VI_THE_BREAKING_OF_THE_DAM'>56</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>VII</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>Laura Makes a Dress</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_VII_LAURA_MAKES_A_DRESS'>66</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>VIII</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>By Combat</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_VIII_BY_COMBAT'>78</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>IX</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>Gordon Speaks His Mind</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_IX_GORDON_SPEAKS_HIS_MIND'>89</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>X</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>The Calling Cañon</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_X_THE_CALLING_CAON'>99</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>XI</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>The Great Idea</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XI_THE_GREAT_IDEA'>109</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>XII</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>Wisbech Makes Inquiries</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XII_WISBECH_MAKES_INQUIRIES'>118</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>XIII</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>On the Trestle</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XIII_ON_THE_TRESTLE'>127</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>XIV</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>In the Moonlight</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XIV_IN_THE_MOONLIGHT'>138</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>XV</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>Martial’s Misadventure</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XV_MARTIALS_MISADVENTURE'>149</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>XVI</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>Acton’s Warning</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XVI_ACTONS_WARNING'>162</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>XVII</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>An Eventful Day</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XVII_AN_EVENTFUL_DAY'>174</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>XVIII</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>Tranquillity</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XVIII_TRANQUILLITY'>186</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>XIX</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>Nasmyth Hears the River</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XIX_NASMYTH_HEARS_THE_RIVER'>195</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>XX</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>Nasmyth Goes Away</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XX_NASMYTH_GOES_AWAY'>208</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>XXI</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>The Men of the Bush</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXI_THE_MEN_OF_THE_BUSH'>218</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>XXII</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>Nasmyth Sets to Work</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXII_NASMYTH_SETS_TO_WORK'>228</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>XXIII</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>The Derrick</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXIII_THE_DERRICK'>239</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>XXIV</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>Realities</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXIV_REALITIES'>251</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>XXV</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>Nasmyth Decides</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXV_NASMYTH_DECIDES'>260</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>XXVI</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>One Night’s Task</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXVI_ONE_NIGHTS_TASK'>269</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>XXVII</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>Timber Rights</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXVII_TIMBER_RIGHTS'>278</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>XXVIII</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>A Painful Duty</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXVIII_A_PAINFUL_DUTY'>287</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>XXIX</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>A Futile Scheme</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXIX_A_FUTILE_SCHEME'>297</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>XXX</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>Second Thoughts</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXX_SECOND_THOUGHTS'>309</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' class='chalgn'>XXXI</td> + <td valign='top' align='left' style='padding-right:4em;'><span class='smcap'>The Last Shot</span></td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#CHAPTER_XXXI_THE_LAST_SHOT'>318</a></td> +</tr> +</table> +<hr class='pb' /> +<h1>THE GREATER POWER</h1> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_1' name='page_1'></a>1</span></div> +<hr class='pb' /> +<p style='text-align:center;margin-top:1.5em;margin-bottom:1em;font-size:1.8em;'>The Greater Power</p> +<div class='chsp' style='padding-top:0'> +<a name='CHAPTER_I_OVERBURDENED' id='CHAPTER_I_OVERBURDENED'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> +<h3>OVERBURDENED</h3> +</div> +<p>It was winter in the great coniferous forest which rolls +about the rocky hills and shrouds the lonely valleys +of British Columbia. A bitter frost had dried the snow +to powder and bound the frothing rivers; it had laid +its icy grip upon the waters suddenly, and the sound of +their turmoil died away in the depths of the rock-walled +cañons, until the rugged land lay wrapped in silence under +a sky of intense, pitiless blueness that seemed frozen +too. Man and beast shrink from the sudden cold snaps, +as they call them, in that country, and the rancher, who +has sheep to lose, sits shivering in his log house through +the long forenights with a Marlin rifle handy, while the +famished timber wolves prowl about his clearing. Still, +it is the loggers toiling in the wilderness who feel the cold +snaps most, for the man who labours under an Arctic frost +must be generously fed, or the heat and strength die out +of him, and, now and then, it happens that provisions become +scanty when no canoe can be poled up the rivers, +and the trails are blocked with snow.</p> +<p>There were four loggers at work in a redwood forest, +one January afternoon, rolling a great log with peevies +and handspikes out of a chaos of fallen trunks. The +Bush, a wall of sombre green, spangled here and there +with frost, and impressively still, closed in about the little +gap they had made. Not a sound came out of the shadowy +avenues between the tremendous colonnades of towering +trunks, and the topmost sprays of the cedars and +Douglas firs cut motionless against the blue high above. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_2' name='page_2'></a>2</span> +There was no wind, and the men’s breath went straight +up, a thin white vapour, into the biting air. Still, they +were warm and comparatively well fed, which was a +good deal to be thankful for, and three of them toiled +contentedly, with now and then a glance at their companion, +who realized at length that he was beaten. In +fact, it was only by calling up all the resolution that +was in him that this fourth man, Derrick Nasmyth, had +held himself to his task since early morning, for there is +no occupation which demands from man more muscular +effort and physical courage than logging, as it is generally +carried on in the forest of Western Canada.</p> +<p>Nasmyth was a tall man, apparently under thirty, and +leanly muscular, as were his companions, for those who +swing the axe from dawn to dusk in that wilderness +seldom put on flesh. His bronzed face was also lean, +and a trifle worn. Considering his occupation, it was, +perhaps, too finely chiselled, and there was a certain +elusive suggestion of refinement in it. He had clear blue +eyes, and the hair beneath his battered fur cap was brown. +For the rest, he wore a black leather jacket with several +rents in it, ragged duck trousers, and long boots. His +companions were the usual Bush choppers––simple, +strong-armed men of kindly nature––and Nasmyth was +quite aware that they had undertaken most of his share +in the work during the last few hours.</p> +<p>“Another heave!” said one of the woodsmen. “Hit +her hard, boys, and away she goes!”</p> +<p>They strained sinewy backs and splendid arms. The +great log rolled a trifle farther, canted, as one of them +slipped a handspike under the butt of it, and landed on +the skids, which were laid like railway sleepers down the +slope of a steep declivity. The snow was ground down +and rammed back about the skids, and the worn-out hollow +gleamed a faint blue-grey in the shadow of the firs. +The men made another strenuous effort as the log started, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_3' name='page_3'></a>3</span> +but in another moment it rushed away, and, like a toboggan, +sped downwards through the forest to the river-ice +below. The skids screamed beneath it, the snow flew +up like smoke, and then there was a thunderous crash +and stillness again. Nasmyth gasped heavily, and +dropped his handspike.</p> +<p>“Boys,” he said, “I’m used up. I’ll go along to the +shanty and get my time.”</p> +<p>He generally expressed himself much as his comrades +did, but now his clean English intonation was a little +more noticeable than usual. One of the others nodded +sympathetically, as he answered:</p> +<p>“Well, I guess I’ve seen the trouble trailing you +for quite a while. Got to let up or play out. It’s one +I’ve been up against myself.” He made a vague gesture. +“A little rough on you.”</p> +<p>Then he and one of his comrades took up a big crosscut +saw, while the other swung a gleaming axe. Nasmyth +walked back wearily through the silent Bush towards +the camp. His back ached, his head ached, and +he felt a trifle dazed. The strength seemed to have gone +out of him, and he fancied that he was not very far +from a physical collapse. He was glad when he reached +the shanty, where, after he had shaken the snow from +his dilapidated boots, he sat down by the glowing stove, +and smiled wryly as he looked about him. The shed +was rudely built of logs, and a row of bunks packed +with swamp-grass and spruce-twigs, from some of which +there hung portions of greasy blankets, ran down one +side of it. It smelt horribly of acrid tobacco and cookery, +but at least, it was warm, which counted for much, and, +during the last few months, Nasmyth had grown to +look on it as home. He knew, also, that it would cost +him something to leave it now, especially as he had nowhere +else to go.</p> +<p>Lying back listlessly in a lounge an ingenious chopper +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_4' name='page_4'></a>4</span> +had made out of a few branches and a couple of sacks, +Nasmyth vaguely recalled the comfort of his London +chambers and the great pillared smoking-room of a certain +exclusive club, for he was a man acquainted with +the smoother side of life. He had various gifts which +were apparently of no account in British Columbia, and +he had enjoyed an education that had, it seemed, unfitted +him for anything strictly utilitarian. There are +a great many men of his description chopping trees +and driving cattle in Western Canada. Indeed, his +story was one which, with slight variations, may be heard +frequently in that country. Financial disaster had overtaken +his family. Friends in high places had regarded +him coldly, and he had been too proud to ask for favours, +or to profit by those that were grudgingly offered him. +That was why he had gone out to Canada and spent +several years there earning his board, and, now and +then, a few dollars as well, by bodily labour, until he +went up into the Bush with the loggers.</p> +<p>For a time he had somehow contrived to hold his own +with the other workers, though logging in heavy timber +is one of the tasks one could almost fancy that man was +never meant for, and the logger, whose overtaxed muscle +fails him for a moment, is very likely to have the +life crushed out of him by some ponderous, slipping trunk. +Perhaps, his lack of endurance was due to the excessive +strain, or the ill-cooked food, but during the last few +weeks he had been conscious that a slackness was creeping +over him. Once or twice the handspike or peevie +had been torn from his grasp, and the lives of his comrades +had been placed in peril. He had found it more +and more difficult to drag himself out to his work each +morning, but he had held on until that afternoon when +his strength had suddenly failed him.</p> +<p>Nasmyth was half-asleep when the cook and the leader +of the gang came in. The latter, who was a big, gaunt +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_5' name='page_5'></a>5</span> +man with grizzled hair, stopped close by the stove and +looked at him.</p> +<p>“Well,” said the gang leader, “what do you figure +you’re doing here?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth explained with some difficulty, for in the +Bush, men acquire a certain pride in their physical manhood, +and it is never a pleasant thing to own oneself +defeated. The logger, however, nodded comprehendingly. +He was a reticent, grim-faced person from Ontario, +where they breed hard men, though some have, +also, kindly hearts in them.</p> +<p>“That’s quite right. I’ve noticed it myself,” he +commented. “In fact, I’ve been figuring on asking +you to get out the last week or two.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth smiled. Like other men of his description +in that country, he had become accustomed to hearing +such remarks addressed to him.</p> +<p>“I wonder,” he answered reflectively, “why you +didn’t.”</p> +<p>The logger appeared to consider. It was characteristic +of him and the stock he sprang from that he would +never have admitted that he had borne with Nasmyth +as long as possible out of kindness. The thing would +have hurt him.</p> +<p>“Well,” he said, “it seemed to me we might start +you teaming, if I could have got a span or two of oxen +in, but I’m most afraid I can’t get them at my figure.” +He changed the subject abruptly. “Where are you +heading for?”</p> +<p>“I don’t quite know, though I shall probably land in +Victoria sooner or later. I might strike something a +little easier than logging there. Still, it would be most +of a week’s march before I could reach the railroad, and +there’s not a ranch anywhere near the trail.”</p> +<p>The logger nodded. “Well,” he said, “I’d head +West instead. There’ll be nothing going on along the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_6' name='page_6'></a>6</span> +railroad just now, and the mines are running easy, +while you ought to fetch the settlement south of Butte +Lake on the third day. Guess you might pick up a dollar +or two in that neighbourhood, and, any way, there’s a +steamer running down the West Coast to Victoria. +Seems to me quite likely one of those Bush-ranchers +would take you in a while, even if he didn’t exactly +want a hired man; but they don’t do that kind of thing +in the city.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth smiled. Experience had already taught him +that, as a rule, the stranger who is welcomed in the +cities arrives there with money in his pockets, and that +it is the hard-handed men with the axes from whom the +wanderer in that country is most likely to receive a +kindness. Still, though he was naturally not aware of +it, a great deal was to depend upon the fact that he followed +the advice of the logger, who traced out a diagram +on the bench upon which they sat.</p> +<p>“There’s an Indian trail up the river for the first four +leagues,” said the logger. “Then you strike southwest, +across the divide––here––and you come to the Butte +River. She’s running in a little cañon, and you can’t +get over ’cept where a prospector or somebody has +chopped a big fir.”</p> +<p>The log span across a stream is an old device, and was +probably primitive man’s first attempt at bridge-building, +though it is one frequently adopted on the Pacific slope, +where a giant tree grows conveniently close to an otherwise +impassable river. It was, however, important that +Nasmyth should be able to find the tree.</p> +<p>“You know exactly where that fir is?” he asked.</p> +<p>“Southwest of the highest ridge of the divide. Once +you’re over, you’ll fetch the Butte Lake in a long day’s +march. When d’you figure you’ll start?”</p> +<p>“To-night,” said Nasmyth, “after supper. If there’s +sickness of any kind hanging round me––and I feel like +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_7' name='page_7'></a>7</span> +it––you don’t want me here, and I dare say they’d take +me into the hospital at Victoria. Walking’s easier than +logging, anyway, and it seems wiser to try for that fir +in daylight.”</p> +<p>The logger nodded as if he concurred in this, and, +taking a little book from his pocket, he turned it over, +wrinkling his brows while Nasmyth watched him with a +smile.</p> +<p>“Well,” he said at length, “we’ll count you full +time to-day, but there’s the four days off when you +got crushed by that redwood, and the week when you +chopped your leg. Then, counting the amount for your +board, that’s thirty-six dollars I’m due to you.”</p> +<p>“Not quite,” answered Nasmyth. “There was the +day or two after I fell through the ice and had the +shivers. I’d sooner you knocked off the few dollars.”</p> +<p>The logger was said to be a hard man, and in some +respects this was certainly the case; but a faint flush +crept into his grim face. Perhaps he had noticed the +weariness in Nasmyth’s voice or the hollowness of his +cheeks.</p> +<p>“All right,” he said awkwardly. “Jake will put you +up grub for four days, and we’ll call it square.”</p> +<p>He counted out the money, which Nasmyth slipped +into the receptacle inside his belt. When the logger +moved away the weary man crossed over to his bunk. +Nasmyth had brought his few possessions up in a canoe, +and now, knowing that he could not take them all away, +he turned them over with a curious smile. There were +one or two ragged pairs of duck trousers stained with +soil, a few old tattered shirts, and a jacket of much the +same description. He remembered that he had once +been fastidious about his tailoring, as he wondered when +he would be able to replace the things that he left behind. +Then he rolled up some of the garments and his two +blankets into a pack that could be strapped upon his +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_8' name='page_8'></a>8</span> +shoulders, and, as he did this, his comrades came trooping +in, stamping to shake the snow off their leggings.</p> +<p>There were about a dozen of them––simple, strenuous, +brown-faced Bush-ranchers for the most part––and +they ate in haste, voraciously, when the abundant but +rudely served supper was laid out. Nasmyth had not +much appetite, and the greasy salt pork, grindstone +bread, desiccated apples, flavoured molasses, and flapjacks +hot from the pan, did not tempt him. He preferred +to watch his companions, and now and then his +glance was a trifle wistful. He had worked and eaten +with them; they had slept about him, and he knew he +had their rude good-will. When his strength had begun +to give way, some of them had saddled themselves with +more than their share of the tasks they were engaged +in, and he knew that it was possible he might not fall +in with comrades of their kind again. Now that the +time had come, he, who had once been welcomed at brilliant +London functions, felt that it would cost him an +effort to part with these rough comrades. Perhaps this +was not so astonishing, for, after all, strenuous, valiant +manhood and rude kindliness count for much.</p> +<p>The shanty was cheerfully lighted and cosily warm. +Nasmyth had slept soundly there on the springy spruce-twigs, +and there was at least abundance when the mealtimes +came round. Now he was about to be cast adrift +again to face a three days’ march in the open, under the +bitter frost, and what might await him at the end of it +he did not know. At length, the meal was cleared +away, and when the pipes were lighted, he told his comrades +that he was going. They were not demonstrative +in their expressions of regret, but they thrust upon him +little plugs of tobacco, which could not well be replaced +there, and several of them told him that, if he struck +nothing he liked better, all he had to do was to present +himself at this ranch or the other beside blue lake or +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_9' name='page_9'></a>9</span> +frothing river when they went back in the spring. What +was more to the purpose, they meant it.</p> +<p>Among those Western pines men are reared who, in +point of primitive vigour, slow endurance, and the dogged +courage that leads them to attempt, and usually to accomplish, +the apparently impossible, are a match for any +in the world, and no wanderer who limps up to their +lonely ranches is turned away. Those who have no +claim on them are honoured with their hospitality, and +now and then one new to that country looks with wonder +on their handiwork. Down all the long Pacific +coast, from lonely Wrangel, wrapped in the Northern +snow, to Shasta in the South, it is written on hewn-back +forest, rent hillside, and dammed river. The inhabitants +are subduing savage Nature; but, as time will +surely show, their greatest achievement is the rearing of +fearless men.</p> +<p>Though it cost him an effort, Nasmyth contrived to +smile as he shook hands with the loggers. Then he set +his lips tight as, with his pack strapped on his shoulders, +he opened the door and looked out at the dimly shining +snow. It was only natural that he hesitated for a +moment. After all, brutal as the toil had been, he at +least knew what he was leaving behind, and his heart +sank as he drew the door to. The cold struck through +him to the bone, though there was not a breath of air +astir, and the stillness was almost overwhelming. The +frost cramped his muscles and drove the courage out of +him, and, as he plodded down the trail, he heard +Jacques, the French-Canadian cook, tuning his battered +fiddle. A little burst of laughter broke through the +twanging of the strings, and Nasmyth closed one hand +hard as he strode on faster into the darkness. There +was as much of the animal in him as there is in most of +us, and he longed for the cheerful light and the warmth +of the stove, while one learns the value of human companionship +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_10' name='page_10'></a>10</span> +when the Frost King lays his grip on that +lonely land. He was once more homeless––an outcast––and +it was almost a relief to him when at length the +twanging of the fiddle was lost in the silence of the pines.</p> +<p>The trees rose about him, towering high into the soft +darkness in serried ranks, and the snow gleamed a cold +blue-grey under them. Not a twig stirred; the tall +spires were black, and motionless, and solemn, and he +felt that their stateliness emphasized his own feebleness +and inconsequence. In the meanwhile, though the +snow was loose and frost-dried, it was not much above +his ankles, and the trail was comparatively good. It +seemed to him advisable to push on as fast as possible, +for he had only four days’ provisions, and he was not sure +of his strength. There was no doubt as to what the result +would be if it failed him in the wilderness that lay +between him and the settlement.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_11' name='page_11'></a>11</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_II_THE_TRAIL' id='CHAPTER_II_THE_TRAIL'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> +<h3>THE TRAIL</h3> +</div> +<p>A half-moon rose above the black tops of the +pines, and a faint light, which the snow flung back, +filtered down between the motionless branches upon the +narrow trail that wound sinuously in and out among +fallen trunks and thickets draped with withered fern, +for the Siwash Indians passed that way when the salmon +came up the rivers, and the path an Indian makes is +never straight. Over and over again, an Indian will go +around an obstacle through which the Bush-rancher +would hew a passage. This is essentially characteristic +of both, for the primitive peoples patiently fit their lives +to their environment, while the white man grapples +with unfavourable conditions, and resolutely endeavours +to alter them.</p> +<p>Until daylight Nasmyth made a tolerable pace. He +had been troubled with a curious lassitude and an unpleasant +dizziness, but walking is considerably easier +than rolling ponderous logs, and he knew that it was +advisable for him to push on as fast as possible. At +length, the dawn broke high up in a dingy grey sky, and +he stopped to build a fire. It did not take long to boil +a can of strong green tea, and to prepare a piece of +doughy bread, with a little salt pork, for his breakfast. +Then he wrapped one of his blankets around him and +took out his pipe. He did not remember how long he +sat there, but it was clear daylight when he noticed that +the fire was burning out, and, somewhat to his annoyance, +he felt curiously reluctant to get up again.</p> +<p>Though it cost him an effort, he rose, and stood a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_12' name='page_12'></a>12</span> +minute or two shivering in the bitter wind, which now +set the dark firs sighing. He could see the trees roll +upwards before him in sombre ranks until their topmost +sprays cut in a thin filigree very high up against the +sky, and he knew that he must now leave the easy trail +and cross the big divide. When he set out he was a little +annoyed to find that the pack-straps hurt his shoulders, +and that one of his boots galled his foot. Knee-boots +are not adapted for walking long distances, but the only +other ones that Nasmyth possessed were so dilapidated +that he had left them behind.</p> +<p>He went up for several hours through withered fern +and matted undergrowth, and over horrible tangles of +fallen tree-trunks, some of which were raised high above +the snow on giant splintered branches. The term “virgin +forest” probably conveys very little to the average +Englishman, since the woods with which he is acquainted +are, for the most part, cleaned and dressed by foresters; +but Nature rules untrammelled in the pine-bush of the +Pacific slope, and her waste material lies piled in tremendous +ruin until it rots away. There are forests in +that country, through which a man accustomed to them +can scarcely make a league in a day. Still, Nasmyth +crossed the divide, struggling against a bitter wind, and +then went down the other side, floundering over fallen +branches, and smashing through thickets of undergrowth +and brakes of willows. He wanted to find the river, +and, more especially, the tree that bridged it, as soon as +possible. It was, however, noon when he reached the +river, and it frothed and roared a hundred feet below +him in a smooth walled cañon, which had apparently +kept the frost out, for there were only strips of crackling +ice in the eddies.</p> +<p>It was clearly out of the question for him to get down +to the river, even if he had wished to make the descent, +and without stopping to make another fire, he plodded +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_13' name='page_13'></a>13</span> +along the bank until the afternoon was almost spent. +There were a good many fallen trees, as he discovered +to his cost, since each one had to be painfully clambered +over, but none of them spanned the chasm. Then, as +his foot was becoming very sore, he decided to camp +where a big cedar lay across a little ravine that rent the +bank. It promised to afford him a partial shelter. He +had no axe, but he tore off an armful or two of the thinner +branches, with the twigs attached to them, to form +a bed, and then, crawling down to the river, filled his +smoke-blackened can and came back wearily to make a +fire. Man needs very little in those solitudes, but there +are two things he must have, and those are food to keep +the strength in him, and warmth, though there are times +when he finds it singularly difficult to make the effort to +obtain them. The most unpleasant hour of the long day +of persistent toil is often the one when worn-out muscle +and jaded intelligence must be forced to the task of providing +the evening meal and shelter for the night.</p> +<p>Nasmyth ate his supper, so far as it went, voraciously, +but with a prudent check upon his appetite, for he had +set out with only four days’ provisions, and he could not +find the tree. When he had eaten, he took out his pipe, +and crouched a while beside the fire, shivering, in spite of +the blankets wrapped about him. The heat dies out of +the man who has marched for twenty hours, as those +who have done it know. In the meanwhile, darkness +crept up from the east, and the pines faded into sombre +masses that loomed dimly against a leaden sky. A +mournful wailing came out of the gloom, and the smoke +whirled about the shivering man in the nipping wind, +while the sound of the river’s turmoil and the crash of +stream-driven ice drifted up out of the cañon. Nasmyth +listened drowsily, while his thoughts wandered +back to the loggers’ shanty. He could see the men with +bronzed faces sitting smoking about the snapping stove, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_14' name='page_14'></a>14</span> +two or three of them dancing, while Jacques coaxed +music full of fire from his battered fiddle.</p> +<p>Then his thoughts went farther back to the chambers +that he had once occupied in London, and he saw himself +and Frobisher, who shared them with him, sitting +at a little table daintily furnished with choice glass and +silver covers. There were big candles upon it––Frobisher, +who was a fastidious man, had insisted upon +them. After that, the artistically furnished room faded +out of his memory, and he recalled a larger one in which +he had now and then dined. He could picture the wine, +and lights, and costly dresses, the smiling faces of those +who had at that time expected a great deal from him, +and he saw the girl who usually sat at his side. She had +a delicate beauty and a dainty mind, and he had sometimes +fancied they might be drawn closer when he had +made his mark, which in those days appeared a very +probable thing. He wondered vaguely what she was +doing then, or if she ever thought of him. After all, as +she had not answered the one letter which he wrote, it +scarcely seemed likely that she remembered him. Those +who fail, he reflected, are soon forgotten.</p> +<p>Then, as he was falling forward into the fire, he +roused himself, and smiled wryly. He was once more +an outcast, shivering, half-asleep in the wilderness, worn +out, ragged, and aching, with a foot that was now distinctly +painful. It is, however, fortunate for such men +as he, and others among the heavily burdened, that the +exhaustion of the body has its deadening effect upon +the mind. Rolling the blankets round him, he lay down +on the cedar branches and went to sleep.</p> +<p>He did not hear the timber wolves howling in the +blackness of the night, though several that got wind of +him flitted across the ravine after the fire burned low, +and, when at length he awakened, it was with the fall of +a wet flake upon his face, and he saw the dim dawn +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_15' name='page_15'></a>15</span> +breaking through a haze of sliding snow. It seemed a +little warmer, and, as a matter of fact, it was so, for the +cold snaps seldom last very long near the coast; but the +raw damp struck through him as he raked the embers of +the fire together. Again he felt singularly reluctant to +start when he had finished breakfast, and he found that +he could hardly place one foot upon the ground; but +haste was imperative now, so he set off limping, with +the pack-straps galling his shoulders cruelly. He also +felt a little dizzy, but he pushed on all that day beside +the river through a haze of snow without coming upon +the tree. The dusk was creeping up across the forest +when at length the river emerged from the cañon, and +he ventured out upon the ice in a slacker pool. The ice +heaved and crackled under him with the pulsations of the +stream, but he got across, and roused himself with difficulty +for the effort to make another fire. He was an +hour gathering fuel, and then, after a sparing supper, he +lay down in his wet clothing.</p> +<p>The snow that eddied about him whitened his spongy +blankets, but he got a little sleep, and, awakening, found +the fire out. He tried to light it and failed. His +fingers seemed useless. He was cramped and chilled +all through, and there was in one hip-joint the gnawing +pain that those who sleep on wet ground are acquainted +with. Sometimes it goes away when one gets warmed +up, but just as often it does not. Nasmyth, who found +it a difficult matter to straighten himself, ate a little +damp bread, and then, strapping his pack upon his +shoulders, stumbled on into the forest. He afterwards +fancied it did not snow very much that day, but he was +not sure of anything except that he fell over many rotten +branches, and entangled himself frequently in labyrinths +of matted willows. Night came and he went to sleep +without a fire. He contrived to push on next day, +walking during most of it half asleep. Indeed, now and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_16' name='page_16'></a>16</span> +then he would stagger along for minutes after consciousness +of what he was doing had deserted him, for there +are men in that Bush, at least, who know what it is to +stop with suddenly opened eyes on the verge of a collapse, +and find that they have wandered from the path––only +in Nasmyth’s case there was no path at all.</p> +<p>He was never sure whether it was that day or the next +when, floundering through an undergrowth of willows, +he came upon a break in the forest that was covered +with sawn-off stumps. As he made for it, he fell into +a split-rail fence, some of which he knocked down until +he could climb over it. There was a faint smell of +burning fir-wood in the air, and it was evident to him +that there was a house somewhere in the vicinity. The +snow was not deep in the clearing, and he plodded +through it, staggering now and then, until he came to +a little slope, and fell down it headlong. This time he +did not seem able to get up again, and it was fortunate +that, when he flung the split fence down, the crash made +by the falling rails rang far through the silence of the +woods.</p> +<p>While Nasmyth lay in the slushy snow, a girl came +out from among the firs across the clearing, and walked +down the little trail that led to a well. She was tall, +and there was something in her face and the way she +held herself which suggested that she was not a native +of the Bush, though everything she wore had been made +by her own fingers––that is, except the little fur cap, +whose glossy brown enhanced the lustre of her hair. +This was of a slightly lighter tint, and had gleams of +ruddy gold in it. Her eyes were large and brown, and +there was a reposeful quietness in the face, which suggested +strength. It was significant that her hands were +a trifle hard, as well as shapely, and that her wrists +were red.</p> +<p>She came to the top of the slope near the foot of which +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_17' name='page_17'></a>17</span> +Nasmyth, who had now raised himself on one elbow, +lay, and though this might well have startled her, she +stood quietly still, looking down on him. Nasmyth +raised himself a trifle further, and blinked at her +stupidly, and she noticed that his face was drawn and +grey.</p> +<p>“I heard the rails fall,” she said. “What are you +doing there?”</p> +<p>It did not appear strange to Nasmyth that she +should speak in well-modulated English, for there are +probably as many insular English as Canadians in parts +of that country. Besides, he was scarcely in a condition +to notice a point of that kind just then.</p> +<p>“I think I upset the fence,” he answered. “You +see, I couldn’t get over. Then I must have fallen +down.”</p> +<p>It naturally struck the girl as significant that he did +not seem sure of what had happened, but the explanation +that would have suggested itself to anyone fresh +from England did not occur to her. There was not a +saloon or hotel within eight or nine miles of the spot.</p> +<p>“Can you get up?” she asked.</p> +<p>“I’ll try,” said Nasmyth; but the attempt he made +was not a complete success, for, although he staggered +to his feet, he reeled when he stood upon them, and +probably would have fallen had she not run down the +slope and taken hold of him.</p> +<p>“You can rest on me,” she said, laying a firm and +capable hand upon his shoulder.</p> +<p>With her assistance, Nasmyth staggered up the slope, +and there were afterwards times when he remembered +the next few minutes with somewhat mixed feelings. +Just then, however, he was only glad to have someone +to lean upon, and her mere human presence was a relief, +since Nature had come very near to crushing the life out +of him.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_18' name='page_18'></a>18</span></div> +<p>“This is your ranch?” he inquired, looking at her +with half-closed eyes, when at length she moved away +from him, a pace or two, and, gasping a little, stood still, +beneath a colonnade of towering firs.</p> +<p>“It is,” she said simply; and a moment or two later +he saw a little house of logs half hidden among the +trees.</p> +<p>They reached it in another minute, and, staggering +in, he sank into the nearest chair. A stove snapped and +crackled in the middle of the little log-walled room, +which in spite of its uncovered, split-boarded floor, seemed +to possess a daintiness very unusual in the Bush. He did +not, however, know what particular objects in it conveyed +that impression, for the whole room seemed to be +swinging up and down; but he was definitely conscious +of a comforting smell of coffee and pork, which came +from the stove. He sat still, shivering, and blinking at +the girl, while the water trickled from his tattered clothing. +He fancied from the patter on the shingle roof, +that it was raining outside.</p> +<p>“I wonder if you would let me camp in the barn to-night,” +he said.</p> +<p>The girl’s eyes had grown compassionate as she +watched him, for there was a suggestive greyness in his +face. It was evident to her that he was utterly worn-out.</p> +<p>“Go in there,” she said, pointing to a door. “You +will find some dry clothes. Put them on.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth staggered into a very small room, which +had a rude wooden bunk in it, and with considerable +difficulty sloughed off his wet things and put on somebody +else’s clothing. Then he came back and sank into +a deer-hide lounge at the table. The girl set a cup of +coffee, as well as some pork and potatoes, before him. +He drank the coffee, but finding, somewhat to his astonishment, +that he could scarcely eat, he lay back in his +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_19' name='page_19'></a>19</span> +chair and looked at the girl deprecatingly with half-closed +eyes.</p> +<p>“Sorry I can’t do the supper justice. I think I’m +ill,” he said.</p> +<p>Then his head fell back against the deer-hide lounge, +and, while the girl watched him with a natural consternation, +he sank into sleep or unconsciousness. She +was not sure which it was, but he certainly looked very +ill, and, being a capable young woman, she remembered +that within the next hour, the weekly mail-carrier would +strike a trail which passed within a mile of the ranch. +Rising, she touched Nasmyth’s shoulder.</p> +<p>“Stay there, and don’t try to get up until I come +back,” she commanded in a kindly tone.</p> +<p>Nasmyth, as she had half-expected, said nothing, and, +slipping into another room––there were three in the +house––she returned, wearing a jacket of coarse fur, and +went quietly out into the rain. It was dark now, but +she had, as it happened, not long to wait for the mail-carrier.</p> +<p>“I want you to call at Gordon’s ranch, Dave,” she +told the man. “Tell him he is to come along as soon +as he can. There’s a stranger here who seems very ill.”</p> +<p>The mail-carrier would have asked questions, but she +cut him short.</p> +<p>“How long will it be before you can tell Gordon?” +she asked.</p> +<p>“Well,” answered the man reflectively, “I’m heading +right back for the settlement, but it’s a league to Gordon’s, +anyway. He could be here in two hours, if he +starts right off, and, considering what the trail’s like, +that’s blamed fast travelling.”</p> +<p>He disappeared into the darkness, and the girl went +back to the ranch. It was, perhaps, significant that she +should feel sure that the man she had sent for would +obey the summons, but she grew anxious while the two +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_20' name='page_20'></a>20</span> +hours slipped by. At last, a man opened the door and +walked in, with the water dripping from the long outer +garment he flung off. He was a young man, with a +bronzed face and keen grey eyes, and he had swung the +axe, as one could see by his lithe carriage and the hardness +of his hands, but there was something professional +in his manner as he stooped down, regarding Nasmyth +closely while he gripped the stranger’s wrist. Then he +turned to the girl.</p> +<p>“He’s very sick,” Gordon said. “Guess you have +no objections to my putting him in your father’s bunk. +First, we’ll warm the blankets.”</p> +<p>The girl rose to help him, and––for she was strong––they +stripped off most of Nasmyth’s garments and lifted +him into the bunk in the next room. Then Gordon +sent her for the blankets, and, when he had wrapped +them round Nasmyth, he sat down and looked at her.</p> +<p>“Pneumonia,” he said. “Anyway, in the meanwhile, +I’ll figure on it as that, though there’s what one +might call a general physical collapse as well. Where +did he come from?”</p> +<p>“I don’t know,” said the girl.</p> +<p>“Your father won’t be back for a week?”</p> +<p>“It’s scarcely likely.”</p> +<p>The man appeared to reflect for a moment or two. +Then he made a little expressive gesture.</p> +<p>“Well,” he said, “it’s up to us to do what we can. +First thing’s a poultice. I’ll show you how to fix it; +but while we’re here, I guess we might as well run +through his things.”</p> +<p>“Is that needful?” and the girl glanced at Nasmyth +compassionately.</p> +<p>“Well,” said the man with an air of reflection, “it +might be. This thing’s quick. Leaves you or wipes +you out right away. There’s very little strength in +him.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_21' name='page_21'></a>21</span></div> +<p>He turned out the pockets of Nasmyth’s clothes, +which were, however, empty of anything that might +disclose his identity.</p> +<p>“Not a scrap of paper, not a dollar; but I guess that +wasn’t always the case with him––you can see it by his +face,” he said. Then he laughed. “He’s probably like +a good many more of us––not very anxious to let folks +know where he came from.”</p> +<p>The girl, though he did not notice it, winced at this; +but next moment he touched her shoulder.</p> +<p>“Get some water on,” he said. “After we’ve made +the poultice, I’ll take charge of him. We may get Mrs. +Custer round in the morning.”</p> +<p>The girl merely smiled and went out with him. She +was aware that it was in some respects an unusual thing +which she was doing, but that did not greatly trouble +her. They are not very conventional people in that +country.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_22' name='page_22'></a>22</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_III_WAYNEFLEETS_RANCH' id='CHAPTER_III_WAYNEFLEETS_RANCH'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> +<h3>WAYNEFLEET’S RANCH</h3> +</div> +<p>Though he afterwards endeavoured to recall them, +Nasmyth had never more than a faint and shadowy +recollection of the next few days. During most of +the time, he fancied he was back in England, and the girl +he had left there seemed to be hovering about him. Now +and then, she would lay gentle hands upon him, and +her soothing touch would send him off to sleep again; +but there was a puzzling change in her appearance. +He remembered her as slight in figure––sylph-like he +had sometimes called her––fastidious and dainty, and +always artistically dressed. Now, however, she seemed +to have grown taller, stronger, more reserved, and, as +he vaguely realized, more capable, while her garments +were of a different and coarser fashion. What was still +more curious, she did not seem to recognize her name, +though he addressed her by it now and then. He pondered +over the matter drowsily once or twice, and then +ceased to trouble himself about it. There were several +other things that appeared at least as incomprehensible.</p> +<p>After a long time, however, his senses came back to +him, and one evening, as he lay languidly looking about +him in his rude wooden bunk, he endeavoured to recall +what had passed since he left the loggers’ camp. The +little room was comfortably warm, and a plain tin lamp +burned upon what was evidently a home-made table. +There was nothing, except a rifle, upon the rough log +walls, and nothing upon the floor, which was, as usual, +rudely laid with split boards, for dressed lumber is costly +in the Bush. Looking through the open door into the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_23' name='page_23'></a>23</span> +general living-room, which was also lighted, he could +see a red twinkle beneath the register of the stove, beside +which a woman was sitting sewing. She was a hard-featured, +homely person in coarsely fashioned garments, +which did not seem to fit her well, and Nasmyth felt +slightly disconcerted when he glanced at her, for she +was not the woman whom he had expected to see. Then +his glance rested on a man, who had also figured in his +uncertain memories, and now sat not far away from +him. The man, who was young, was dressed in plain +blue duck, and, though Nasmyth noticed that his hands +were hard, and that he had broken nails, there was +something in his bronzed face that suggested mental +capacity.</p> +<p>“I suppose,” the sick man said, “you are the doctor +who has evidently taken care of me?”</p> +<p>He was not quite himself yet, and he spoke clean +colloquial English, without any trace of the Western +accentuation he usually considered it advisable to adopt, +though, as a matter of fact, the accent usually heard on +the Pacific slope is not unduly marked. The other man +naturally noticed it, and laughed somewhat curiously.</p> +<p>“I have some knowledge of medicine and surgery,” +Gordon answered. “Now and then I make use of it, +though I don’t, as a rule, get a fee.” Then he looked +rather hard at Nasmyth. “Quite a few of us find it +advisable to let our professions go when we come to +this country.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth nodded, for this was a thing he had discovered +already. Many of the comrades he had made +there were outcasts––men outside the pale––and they +were excellent comrades, too.</p> +<p>“Well,” he said, “I have evidently been very sick. +How did I get here? I don’t seem to remember.”</p> +<p>“Miss Waynefleet found you lying in the snow in the +clearing.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_24' name='page_24'></a>24</span></div> +<p>“Ah!” said Nasmyth––“a tall girl with a quiet +voice, big brown eyes, and splendid hair?”</p> +<p>Gordon smiled. “Well,” he said, “that’s quite like +her.”</p> +<p>“Where is she now?” asked Nasmyth; and though +he was very feeble still, there was a certain expectancy +in his manner.</p> +<p>“In the barn, I believe. The working oxen have to +be fed. It’s very probable that you will see her in +the next half-hour. As to your other question––you were +very sick indeed––pneumonia. Once or twice it seemed +a sure thing that you’d slip through our fingers. Where +were you coming from when you struck the clearing?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth, who had no reason for reticence, and found +his mind rapidly growing clearer, briefly related what +had led him to set out on his journey through the Bush, +and his companion nodded.</p> +<p>“It’s very much as I expected,” he said. “They +paid you off before you left that logging camp?”</p> +<p>“They did,” said Nasmyth, who was pleased to recall +the fact. “I had thirty-two dollars in my belt.”</p> +<p>His companion looked at him steadily. “When you +came here you hadn’t a belt on. There was not a dollar +in your pockets, either.”</p> +<p>This was naturally a blow to Nasmyth. He realized +that it would probably be several weeks at least before +he was strong enough to work again, and he had evidently +been a charge upon these strangers for some little +time. Still, he did not for a moment connect any of +them with the disappearance of his belt. He was too +well acquainted with the character of the men who are +hewing the clearings out of the great forests of the +Pacific slope. As a matter of fact, he never did discover +what became of his belt.</p> +<p>“Well,” he said, “I suppose I forgot to put it on, one +of those mornings on the march. Still, it’s not very +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_25' name='page_25'></a>25</span> +astonishing that the thing should worry me. I can’t +expect to stay on at this ranch. When do you think I +can get up and set out again?”</p> +<p>“How long have you been out here?”</p> +<p>“Been out?”</p> +<p>Gordon laughed. “You’re from the Old Country––that’s +plain enough.”</p> +<p>“Several years.”</p> +<p>“In that case I’m not going to tell you we’re not +likely to turn you out until you have some strength in +you. I believe I’m speaking for Miss Waynefleet now.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth lay still and considered this. It was, at +least, quite evident that he could not get up yet, but +there were one or two other points that occurred to +him.</p> +<p>“Does the ranch belong to Miss Waynefleet?” he +inquired. “She can’t live here alone.”</p> +<p>“She runs the concern. She has certainly a father, +but you’ll understand things more clearly when you see +him. He’s away in Victoria, which is partly why Mrs. +Custer from the settlement is now in yonder room. Her +husband is at present building a trestle on the Dunsmore +track. I come up here for only an hour every day.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth afterwards discovered that this implied a +journey of three or four miles either way over a very +indifferent trail, but at the moment he was thinking +chiefly of Miss Waynefleet, who had given him shelter.</p> +<p>“You practise at the settlement?” he asked.</p> +<p>“Yes,” said his companion dryly, “chopping big trees. +I’ve a ranch there. Still, I don’t know that you could +exactly call it practising. By this time, I’ve acquired a +certain proficiency in the thing.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth fancied that he must have gone to sleep +soon after this, for when he opened his eyes again there +was no sign of the doctor, and a girl was quietly moving +about the room. She sat down, when she saw that he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_26' name='page_26'></a>26</span> +was awake, and looked at him with a little smile, and +it was only natural that Nasmyth should also +look at her. It struck him once more that she had wonderful +hair. In the lamp-light, it seemed to glow with +curious red-gold gleams. She had also quiet brown eyes, +and a face that was a trifle darkened by sun and wind. +He guessed that she was tall. She looked so as she moved +about the room with a supple gracefulness that had a +suggestion of strength in it. That was all he noticed +in detail, for he was chiefly conscious of the air of quiet +composure that characterized her. He was a trifle fanciful +that night, and, while he looked her, he felt as +he had sometimes felt when he stood at sunset in the +silence of the shadowy Bush, or gazed down into the +depths of some still river pool. Only her gleaming red-gold +hair and her full red lips slightly counteracted this +impression. There was in them at least a hint of fire +and passion.</p> +<p>“You are much better,” she said, and her softly modulated +voice fell pleasantly on his ears. He contrived +to raise himself a trifle.</p> +<p>“I believe I am,” he answered, “In any case, I know +I owe it to you that I’m alive at all. Still”––and he +hesitated––“I can’t help feeling a bit uncomfortable. +You see, I have really no claim on you.”</p> +<p>Laura Waynefleet laughed. “Did you expect me to +leave you out in the snow?”</p> +<p>“If you had, I couldn’t have complained. There +wasn’t the least obligation upon you to look after a +penniless stranger.”</p> +<p>“Ah!” said the girl, with a little smile which was +curiously expressive, “after all, many of us are in one +sense strangers in the Bush.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth pondered over this, for, in view of what he +had noticed in her voice and manner, he fancied he understood +her meaning.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_27' name='page_27'></a>27</span></div> +<p>“Well,” he said, “it’s evident that I can do nothing +in return for all your kindness, except take myself off +your hands as soon as possible. That’s partly why I’m +particularly anxious to get better.”</p> +<p>He stopped a moment, with a faint flush in his hollow +face. “It sounds very ungracious, doesn’t it? But, after +all, it’s sense. Besides, I scarcely feel up to expressing +myself very neatly.”</p> +<p>The girl moved across the room, and gently pressed +him down again on the pillow.</p> +<p>“Go to sleep again at once,” she said.</p> +<p>Nasmyth did as he was bidden, which, since he felt +that he wanted to lie awake and watch her, was in one +way significant. As a matter of fact, what Laura +Waynefleet considered advisable was usually done. Nasmyth’s +head was clearer next morning, and, during the +week that followed, he grew stronger rapidly, until one +night, as he sat beside the stove, he realized that he could, +in all probability, set out again on his journey in a day +or two. While he talked to Laura Waynefleet, there +were footsteps outside, and she ran towards the door as +a man came into the room. Nasmyth fancied the newcomer +was her father, for he was grey-haired and elderly, +but he did not look in the least like a Bush-rancher. Beneath +the fur coat, which he flung off when he had kissed +his daughter, he was dressed as one who lived in the cities, +though his garments were evidently far from new. He +was tall, but his spareness suggested fragility, and his +face, which emphasized this impression, had a hint of +querulous discontent in it.</p> +<p>“I didn’t expect to get through until to-morrow, but +they’ve altered the running of the stage,” he said. “Wiston +drove me up from the settlement, and said he’d send +my things across to-morrow. I was glad to get out of +Victoria. The cooking and accommodation at the hotel +I stayed at were simply disgusting.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_28' name='page_28'></a>28</span></div> +<p>Nasmyth glanced at the speaker in amused astonishment, +for the Bush-ranchers of the Pacific slope are not, +as a rule, particular. They can live on anything, and +sleep more or less contentedly among dripping fern, or +even in a pool of water, as, indeed, they not infrequently +have to do, when they go up into the forests +surveying, or undertake a road-making contract. Laura +Waynefleet directed her father’s attention to her convalescent +guest.</p> +<p>“This is Mr. Nasmyth,” she said. “You will remember +I mentioned him in my letter.”</p> +<p>Waynefleet made the young man a little inclination +that was formally courteous. “I am glad to see you +are evidently recovering,” he said. “I hope they have +made you at home here.” Then he turned to his daughter. +“If you could get me some supper–––”</p> +<p>Laura busied herself about the stove, while Waynefleet +sat down and talked to Nasmyth about generalities. +Waynefleet appeared to be a politician, and he criticized +the Government, which, in his opinion, was neglecting +the Bush-ranchers shamefully. It was evident that he +considered it the duty of the Government to contribute +indirectly towards the support of settlers. Then the supper +was laid out. As he ate fastidiously, he made a few +faintly sardonic observations about the cookery, and, +after the girl had brought in a pot of coffee, he frowned +at the cup he put down.</p> +<p>“There is one place in Victoria where you can get +coffee, as it ought to be, but this is merely roasted wheat,” +he said. “You will excuse me from drinking any more +of it. As you have probably discovered, Mr. Nasmyth, +one has to put up with a good deal in this country. It +is in many respects a barbarous land.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth saw the faint flush in Laura Waynefleet’s +face, and said nothing. He fancied that he knew the +establishment in Victoria to which Waynefleet referred, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_29' name='page_29'></a>29</span> +but it was not one which he had ever visited, or which +the smaller Bush-ranchers usually frequented.</p> +<p>Soon after supper, Nasmyth withdrew to the bed, +which he had insisted on preparing for himself in the +loft above the stables, and it was next day when he spoke +to Laura Waynefleet alone.</p> +<p>“I can’t abuse your kindness any longer,” he said. +“I must go away.”</p> +<p>The girl looked at him quietly. “You are far from +strong yet, and––it must be mentioned––there was not +a dollar in your pockets.”</p> +<p>“That is certainly the case;” and Nasmyth flushed a +little. “Still, I can get as far as the settlement, and +I dare say somebody, who won’t be too hard on me at +first, may want a hand. I am really rather a good +chopper.”</p> +<p>Laura smiled as she glanced at his face, but it was +not its hollowness she was thinking of. Nasmyth had +not the appearance of the average chopper.</p> +<p>“Well,” she said, “perhaps you had better see my +father. I think he has something to say to you.”</p> +<p>She left him, and, half an hour later, Waynefleet came +up to Nasmyth, who was sunning himself outside the +ranch-house. Like many other houses in that country, it +stood beneath a few great firs on the edge of a desolate +clearing, round which the primeval forest rose in an +unbroken wall. Behind it, and a little farther back +among the trees, was the rude barn, built of big notched +logs, and roofed with cedar shingles. In front there lay +some twenty acres of cleared land, out of which rose the +fir-stumps, girdled with withered fern, for a warm wind +from the Pacific had swept the snow away. Beyond that, +in turn, and outside the split-rail fence, rows of giant +trunks lay piled in the tremendous ruin usually called the +“slashing.” Some day, these would be sawn up and +burnt, and the clearing driven farther back into the Bush. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_30' name='page_30'></a>30</span> +The little gap into which the sunlight shone, however, +had been hewn out at the cost of several years of strenuous +labour, and Nasmyth, who was aware of this, felt +inclined to smile as the man who owned it strolled +up to him. It was a little difficult to imagine that he +had had any great share in the making of that clearing.</p> +<p>Waynefleet was dressed in duck, but it was whole +and unsoiled, and Nasmyth made his own deductions +from a glance at the delicate hands. As a rule, Waynefleet’s +expression was discontented and querulous, but +for the time being his manner was gracious. In fact, +he was generally more or less courteous to Nasmyth.</p> +<p>“Miss Waynefleet tells me you are thinking of going +away,” said the owner of the ranch.</p> +<p>Nasmyth replied that he intended to leave the ranch, +and was explaining that he felt he had already abused +his host’s kindness, when Waynefleet cut him short.</p> +<p>“We have been glad to have you here,” he said; “in +fact, I have been wondering if you might feel disposed +to stay. It is probably evident to you that I cannot do +all that is necessary about this place with one pair of +hands.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth knew, from what he had seen on other and +larger ranches, that one man could do the work, though +he felt that it was more than one could reasonably have +expected from Waynefleet. It was, however, clear that +somebody did a great deal, and he fancied that it was +the rancher’s daughter.</p> +<p>“Well,” continued Waynefleet, “I am disposed to +spend a little upon the ranch. They are talking of +building a pulp-mill near the settlement. That will +make land more valuable, and probably lead to a demand +for produce. With that in view, I wish to raise a larger +crop, and I’m open to hire somebody.” He made a little +gesture. “My strength scarcely permits me to undertake +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_31' name='page_31'></a>31</span> +any severe physical effort, and I may confess that +my faculty is rather that of administration. Now I will +make you an offer.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth considered it gravely. As it happened, he +was feeling sorry for the rancher’s daughter, and it was +this fact chiefly which led him to come to terms with the +man, since it seemed to him that there were tasks the +girl must shrink from––tasks of which he could relieve +her. Though he was quite aware that when his strength +came back, he could probably earn more than Waynefleet +offered him, he accepted the chance to stay at the ranch. +Moreover, the varied work was likely to be much easier +than logging.</p> +<p>“It’s a bargain. I’ll make a start now, and haul one +or two of those logs out with the oxen,” he said. “Still, +I’m afraid you must not expect too much from me for +a week or two.”</p> +<p>Waynefleet made no objections. There was, as a matter +of fact, a great deal to be done, and Nasmyth went +back to his new quarters over the stable almost too +weary to hold himself upright that night. He, however, +gathered strength rapidly, and a few days later he was +chopping a great tree, standing on a narrow plank notched +into the trunk of it several feet from the ground as he +swung the axe, when the man who had instructed Miss +Waynefleet how to nurse him came up the trail. Gordon +sat down on a log close by, and looked at Nasmyth.</p> +<p>“I was coming round to make sure I was quite through +with your case, but it’s tolerably evident you have no +more use for me,” he said. “Stopping here?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth said he was, and Gordon nodded.</p> +<p>“Well,” he said, “in several ways I’m rather glad. +It’s going to make things easier for Miss Waynefleet. +Guess you understand what I meant when I said she +ran the ranch?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_32' name='page_32'></a>32</span></div> +<p>Nasmyth said he thought he did, and then, with a +certain diffidence, he changed the subject.</p> +<p>“You must have spent a good deal of time looking +after men––professionally,” he said.</p> +<p>Gordon laughed in a somewhat curious fashion. +“We’ll let that go. In one sense, I’ve dropped my profession. +I had to, and it’s scarcely likely that I shall +take it up again.”</p> +<p>“I wonder,” said Nasmyth reflectively, “if it’s admissible +for me to mention that I had fancied something +of the kind. You see, in the Bush, I have naturally +come across a good many men who have turned their +backs upon the cities.”</p> +<p>Gordon made a little gesture. “It’s a sure thing you’ll +hear a good deal about me at the settlement, where, +though the boys don’t cast it up to me, I’m credited +with having killed somebody back East, and as I’ve had an +idea that I could hit it rather well with you, I’d +sooner tell you the thing myself. Well, I was making +my mark in a big city, several years ago, when I lost my +head. When success comes too quickly, it’s a thing you’re +rather apt to do. The trouble is that you have usually +to face the results of it.”</p> +<p>He broke off for a moment with a little wry smile. +“In my case they were serious. There was a woman +of hysterical temperament with a diseased imagination. +I was overworked and a trifle overwrought, and had a +glass of brandy too much at a certain committee lunch. +Then there was a rather delicate operation in a hospital, +and though I’m not sure yet that I blundered, it +was suggested that I did, and the thing was complicated +by what the woman said when the committee took it +up. It didn’t matter that the patient recovered, for +when he took action against the woman, the thing made +a sensation in the Eastern papers.”</p> +<p>He looked at Nasmyth with a question in his eyes.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_33' name='page_33'></a>33</span></div> +<p>“Now,” he said, “you more or less understand my +reasons for ranching here. How’s it going to affect you?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth gazed reflectively towards the East. “I +think,” he replied, “there are more of us who have left +a good deal behind back yonder. Perhaps it’s fortunate +that the thing is possible.”</p> +<p>Then he swung his axe again, and Gordon, who saw +Waynefleet approaching, strolled away towards the ranch-owner.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_34' name='page_34'></a>34</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_IV_LAURA_WAYNEFLEETS_WISH' id='CHAPTER_IV_LAURA_WAYNEFLEETS_WISH'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> +<h3>LAURA WAYNEFLEET’S WISH</h3> +</div> +<p>It was a hot summer evening, and a drowsy, resinous +fragrance stole out of the shadowy bush when Nasmyth, +who had now spent six months at Waynefleet’s +ranch, lay among the wineberries by the river-side. Across +the strip of sliding water the sombre firs rose in a great +colonnade from the grey rock’s crest, with the fires of +sunset blazing behind their wide-girthed trunks. The +river was low and very clear, and the sound of it seemed +to intensify the solemn stillness of the Bush. Nasmyth +had come there to fish, after a long day of tolerably +arduous labour, but he did not expect much success, +though the trout rise freely just after sunset in those +rivers. Indeed, he had almost forgotten that the rod +and net lay near his side, for his employer’s daughter +sat on a fallen cedar not far away from him.</p> +<p>She had laid her hat aside, and, as it happened, two +humming-birds that flashed, bejewelled, in a ray of ruddy +light hung poised on invisible wings about the clustered +blossoms of an arrow-bush that drooped above her head. +She was, however, not looking at them, but watching +Nasmyth with thoughtful eyes. Everything she wore +was the work of her own fingers, but the light print +dress became her curiously well.</p> +<p>“You have been here six months now,” she said.</p> +<p>“I have,” answered Nasmyth, with a little laugh. “I +almost venture to think I do you credit, in view of the +state I was in when I reached the ranch. If you hadn’t +taken me in hand, two or three days would probably +have been the length of my stay.”</p> +<p>The girl made no disclaimer. She was one who admitted +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_35' name='page_35'></a>35</span> +facts, even when they did not chime with her +wishes, and she still regarded Nasmyth thoughtfully. +He certainly did her credit, so far as his physical appearance +went, for his strength had fully come back to +him, and, as he lay among the wineberries in an easy +pose, his thin duck garments displayed the fine proportions +of a figure that had been trained almost to muscular +perfection by strenuous labour. The light of the +paling sunset was on his bronzed face, and it revealed +the elusive delicacy that characterized it. Nasmyth was +certainly a well-favoured man, but there were respects +in which his companion was not altogether satisfied with +him. She had, as she admitted, restored him to bodily +health, but, after all, that was only going so far, and she +felt it was possible that she might accomplish a little +more, though there was no very evident reason why she +should wish to do so. Still, she was conscious of the +wish.</p> +<p>“I was wondering,” she said, “how long you would +be content to stay.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth gazed at her in evident astonishment. +“Stay!” he exclaimed. “Oh, you can call it twenty +years, if one must be precise.”</p> +<p>“Ah!” replied Laura, “in one sense, that is an admission +I’m not exactly pleased that you should make.”</p> +<p>The man raised himself slowly, and his face became +intent as he strove to grasp her meaning. He was +not in the least astonished that she should speak to him +as she did, for there are few distinctions drawn between +the hired man and those who employ him on the Pacific +slope, and he had discovered already that the girl was +at least his equal in intelligence and education. In fact, +he had now and then a suspicion that her views of life +were broader than his. In the meanwhile it was in one +respect gratifying to feel that she could be displeased at +anything he might think or do.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_36' name='page_36'></a>36</span></div> +<p>“I’m not quite sure I see the drift of that,” he said.</p> +<p>“You would be content to continue a ranch-hand +indefinitely?”</p> +<p>“Why not?” Nasmyth asked, with a smile.</p> +<p>Laura once more looked at him with an almost disconcerting +steadiness, and she had, as he was already +aware, very fine eyes. She, however, noticed the suggestive +delicacy of his face, which had, as it happened, +more than once somewhat displeased her, and a certain +languidness of expression, with which she had also grown +almost impatient. This man, she had decided, was too +readily acquiescent.</p> +<p>“That,” she continued, “is rather a big question, isn’t +it?”</p> +<p>“Ah!” said Nasmyth reflectively. “Now I begin to +understand. Well, I don’t mind admitting that I once +had ambitions and the means of gratifying them, as well +as an optimistic belief in myself. That, however, was +rudely shattered when the means were withdrawn, and +a man very soon learns of how little account he is in +Western Canada. Why shouldn’t I be content to live +as the ranch-hands do, especially when it’s tolerably +evident that I can’t do anything else?”</p> +<p>“You are forgetting that most of them were born to +it. That counts for a good deal. Have you noticed +how far some of the others drift?” A faint trace of +heightened colour crept into her cheeks. “Perhaps one +couldn’t blame them when they have once acquired the +whisky habit and a Siwash wife.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth lay very still for a few moments, resting +on one elbow among the wineberries, for she had, after +all, only suggested a question that had once or twice +troubled him. It was, however, characteristic of him +that he had temporized, and, though he knew it must +be answered some day, had thrust it aside.</p> +<p>“Ah!” he exclaimed, “you want to send me away. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_37' name='page_37'></a>37</span> +Now, I had almost fancied I had made things easier in +various ways for you, and we have been good comrades, +haven’t we? One could call it that?”</p> +<p>“Yes,” agreed Laura slowly; “I think one could call +it that.”</p> +<p>“Then,” returned Nasmyth, “why do you want me +to go?”</p> +<p>It was difficult to answer, and, to begin with, Laura +did not exactly know she desired him to leave the ranch––in +fact, she was willing to admit that there were several +reasons why she wished him to stay. Still, perhaps +because she had watched over him in his sickness, and, +so Gordon said, had snatched him back to life again, she +had a certain pride in him, and vaguely felt that. In one +sense, he belonged to her. She would not have him +throw away the life she had saved, and she had recognized, +as many of his English friends had not, the +perilously acquiescent side of his character. He was, she +feared, one who had an unfortunate aptitude for drifting.</p> +<p>“That,” she said, “is rather more than I could explain +either to myself or to you, but I will tell you something. +They are going to build the pulp-mill down the +valley, and they are now asking for tenders for the construction +of the dam. The thing, I have heard, is not +big enough to interest contractors from the cities, and +most of the men round here have their hands full with +their ranches.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth became a trifle more intent. “Still,” he remarked, +“I have never built a dam.”</p> +<p>“You told me you were rather a good chopper, and +I think you are. You have made roads, too, and know +how to handle giant-powder in the rock-cutting, and how +to use the drill.”</p> +<p>“There are shoals of men in this country who know +considerably more about those things than I do.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_38' name='page_38'></a>38</span></div> +<p>Laura made a little impatient gesture. “Yes,” she +admitted, “there are, but they are simple Bushmen for +the most part; and does intellect count for nothing at +all? Are a trained understanding and a quick comprehension +of no use when one builds a dam?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth frowned, though she saw a little glow kindle +in his eyes. “I’m by no means sure that I possess any +of those desirable qualities. Besides, there’s a rather serious +objection––that of finance.”</p> +<p>Then Laura Waynefleet made it clear that she had +considered the question, and she favoured the man with a +glimpse of the practical side of her character.</p> +<p>“The stores give long credit, and partial payments +are generally made as a work of that kind goes on. +Then it is not a very unusual thing for workmen to wait +for their wages until the contract is carried through.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth lay still for at least another minute. He +had gradually lost his ambition during the few years he +had wandered through the Bush of British Columbia. +The aimless life was often hard, but it had its compensations, +and he had learned to value its freedom from responsibility +and care. When he did not like a task he +had undertaken, he simply left it and went on again. +Still, he had had misgivings now and then when he +noticed how far some of his comrades had drifted. Presently +he rose slowly to his feet.</p> +<p>“Well,” he said, “you’re right, I think, and, if I’m +given an opportunity, I’ll undertake the thing. The +credit will be yours if I’m successful.”</p> +<p>The girl rose. “Then,” she admonished, with a faint +smile, “don’t tell me that you have failed.”</p> +<p>She turned away and left him somewhat abruptly, +but Nasmyth did not resume his fishing, though he +could hear the big trout splashing in the pool as the +sunset light faded off the water. He lay down among +the wineberries, which were scattered among the glossy +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_39' name='page_39'></a>39</span> +leaves like little drops of blood, to think harder than he +had thought for a considerable time. An hour ago, as +he had told Laura Waynefleet, he would have been well +content to stay on at the ranch, and, though she had +roused him, he knew that it would cost him an effort to +leave it. He was not, he fancied, in love with her. Indeed, +he now and then admitted that she would probably +look for more from the man who won her favour than +there was in him, but the camaraderie––he could think +of no better word for it––that had existed between them +had been very pleasant to him.</p> +<p>He realized that he was in one sense hers to dispose +of. She had, in all probability, saved his life, and now +she was endeavouring to arouse his moral responsibility. +She was sending him out to play a man’s part in the +battle of life. He admitted that he had shrunk from it, +of late, or, at least, had been content to sink back among +the rank and file. He had made the most of things, +but that, he was beginning to realize, was, after all, a +somewhat perilous habit. Laura Waynefleet evidently +considered that a resolute attempt to alter conditions was +more becoming than to accept them, even though one +was likely to be injured while making it. He heard footsteps, +and, looking up, saw Gordon sit down upon the +cedar-log.</p> +<p>“I came to look at Wiston’s hand, and walked across +when I heard that Waynefleet hadn’t been about,” he +explained. “I don’t think you need feel any particular +anxiety about your employer.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth grinned at this. Waynefleet had spent part +of one day chopping a big balsam, and was apparently +feeling the effects of the very unusual exertion. Then +Gordon took out his pipe.</p> +<p>“I guess you’re fishing?” he observed.</p> +<p>“I came here to get a trout for breakfast.”</p> +<p>“You look like it.” Gordon smiled. “As it happened, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_40' name='page_40'></a>40</span> +I saw Miss Waynefleet crossing the clearing. It +occurs to me that she may have said something that set +you thinking.”</p> +<p>“I wonder,” said Nasmyth reflectively, “what made +you fancy that?”</p> +<p>Gordon regarded him with a little twinkle in his eyes. +“Well,” he replied, “I have the honour of Miss Waynefleet’s +acquaintance, and have some little knowledge of +her habits.”</p> +<p>Men make friends with one another quickly in the +Western forests, and Nasmyth had acquired a curious +confidence in his companion, in spite of the story Gordon +had told him. As the result of this he related +part, at least, of what the girl had said. Gordon +nodded.</p> +<p>“It’s quite likely you’ll get that contract if you apply +for it. The folks about the settlement haven’t sent an +offer in,” he said. “The notion is naturally Miss +Waynefleet’s. It’s the kind of thing that would appeal +to her, and, in a way, it’s fortunate you have fallen into +her hands. She’s one of the protesters.”</p> +<p>“The protesters?”</p> +<p>“Yes,” answered Gordon; “I can’t think of a better +name for them, though it doesn’t exactly convey all I +mean. To make the thing a little clearer, we’ll take the +other kind––in this country they’re best typified by the +Indians. The Siwash found it a wilderness, and made +the most of it as such. They took their toll of the +salmon, and fed their ponies on the natural prairie grass. +If we’d left it to them for centuries it would have remained +a wilderness. We came, and found Nature omnipotent, +but we challenged her––drove the steel road +down the great cañon to bring us provisions in, dyked +the swamp meadows, ploughed up the forest, and rent +the hills. We made our protest, and, quite often, it was +no more than that, for the rivers were too strong for us, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_41' name='page_41'></a>41</span> +and the Bush crept back upon our little clearings. Still, +we never let go, and it’s becoming evident that we have +done more than hold our own.”</p> +<p>He paused, and laughed in a deprecatory fashion +before he went on again. “Now and then I have an +outbreak of this kind,” he added lightly. “The thing +would make an epic, but, if one could write it, it +wouldn’t be worth while. The protest that counts in +this land is made with the axe and drill.”</p> +<p>The outbreak was comprehensible, for it must be remembered +that the average Westerner, either by birth +or adoption, is seldom a reticent man. He is, in fact, +usually characterized by a daring optimism, and not infrequently +filled to overflowing with the clean pride of +achievement. One can hear this new-world enthusiasm +bubble over on public platforms and at brilliant functions, +as well as in second-rate saloons, but it is most +forcibly expressed where men toil waist-deep in icy water +building dyke and dam, or blast their waggon roads out +of the side of the gloomy cañons. Their handiwork is +not always beautiful, but one wonders to see what they +have made of that great desolation.</p> +<p>Nasmyth lay still among the wineberries, for a minute +or two, and, though a cold green transparency had replaced +the fires of sunset behind the tall trunks now, and +the trout were splashing furiously in the pool, he forgot +all about the rod beside him as he pondered over a +question which had often occurred to him.</p> +<p>“How is it that Miss Waynefleet is content to stay +here?” he asked.</p> +<p>“You would hardly expect her to leave her father.”</p> +<p>“No,” said Nasmyth. “Any way, that is scarcely +an answer. What keeps Waynefleet here? One wouldn’t +fancy he likes living in the Bush.”</p> +<p>“It’s a little curious that you haven’t heard. Anyway, +somebody is bound to tell you. Waynefleet had +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_42' name='page_42'></a>42</span> +to get out of the Old Country. Some trouble about +trust-money. He came out to Victoria and set up in +the land agency business, but it was his misfortune that +he couldn’t keep out of politics. There are folks like +that. When they can’t handle their own affairs, they’re +anxious to manage those of the community. Somebody +found out the story and flung it in his face. The +man hadn’t the grit in him to live it down; he struck +up into the Bush and bought the half-cleared ranch.”</p> +<p>For the next minute or two Nasmyth gazed straight +in front of him with a very thoughtful face, for he had +now a vague recollection of hearing or reading of the +affair in which his employer had played a discreditable +part. He had already decided that he was not in love +with Laura Waynefleet––in fact, it was perhaps significant +that he had done so more than once, but he +had a warm regard for the girl who had saved his life, +and, after all, his ideas were not quite so liberal as he +fancied they had become in the Western forest. It was +a trifle disconcerting to discover that she was the daughter +of a swindler.</p> +<p>“It hurts?” inquired Gordon dryly.</p> +<p>Nasmyth rose. “To be frank,” he admitted, “it does. +Still, though the subject’s a rather delicate one, I don’t +want you to misunderstand me. After all, Miss Waynefleet +is not in the least responsible for anything her father +may have done.”</p> +<p>“That,” said Gordon, “is a sure thing. Well, I must +be hitting the trail home. Aren’t you going to try for +some of those trout in the pool?”</p> +<p>“No,” answered Nasmyth, and his smile was a trifle +grim; “I don’t think I am.”</p> +<p>He watched Gordon stride away through the undergrowth, +and then, in the creeping dusk, went slowly +back to the ranch. Waynefleet was out when he reached +it, but Laura was sitting sewing by the lamp, and she +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_43' name='page_43'></a>43</span> +looked at him sharply when he came in. He was unpleasantly +conscious that the light was on his face. Then +the girl laid down her sewing and turned fully towards +him.</p> +<p>“I saw Mr. Gordon cross the clearing. He has told +you why we are living here?” she said.</p> +<p>“I think,” said Nasmyth, with a slowness that was +very expressive, “it was not done out of unkindness.”</p> +<p>“Oh, no,” and Laura smiled in a rather curious +fashion, “he had probably quite another motive.” Then +she leaned forward a little, looking at him steadily. “I +knew that he would tell you.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth stood still, with his forehead deeply furrowed, +and an unusual gravity in his eyes. The girl’s +courage and serenity appealed to him, and he was conscious +that his heart was beating rapidly. He said nothing, +for a moment or two, and afterwards remembered +how still the little room was, and how the sweet, resinous +scent of the firs flowed in through the open window. +Then he made a vague gesture.</p> +<p>“There is, perhaps, a good deal one could say; but +I fancy most of it would savour of impertinence,” he +said. “After all, the thing doesn’t affect you in any +way.”</p> +<p>Laura glanced down at her hands, and Nasmyth +guessed what she was thinking, for they were hard, and +work-roughened. The toil that her hands showed was, +as he realized, only a part of her burden.</p> +<p>“I think it affects me a very great deal,” she declared +slowly.</p> +<p>Then a curious compassion for her troubled the man. +She was young and very comely, and it was, he felt, +cruelly hard on her that, bearing her father’s shame, +she must lead a life of hard labour at that desolate ranch. +He felt an almost uncontrollable desire to comfort her, +and to take her cares upon himself, but that was out +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_44' name='page_44'></a>44</span> +of the question, since he was merely a ranch-hand, a +Bush-chopper, who owed even the food he ate and the +clothes he wore to her. There is, as he realized then, +after all, very little one can do to lighten another’s load, +but in that moment the half-formed aspirations that she +had called into existence in his mind expanded suddenly. +There was, he felt, no reason why he should not acquire +money and influence, once he made the effort.</p> +<p>“Miss Waynefleet,” he said haltingly, “I can only +offer you my sincere sympathy. Still”––and perhaps he +did not recognize how clear the connection of ideas was––“I +am going down to see about that dam-building +contract to-morrow.”</p> +<p>Then Laura smiled, and took up her sewing again. +Her burden, as she realized, was hers alone, but she +knew that this man would no longer drift. She had +called up his latent capacities, and he would prove his +manhood.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_45' name='page_45'></a>45</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_V_THE_FLOOD' id='CHAPTER_V_THE_FLOOD'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> +<h3>THE FLOOD</h3> +</div> +<p>The autumn afternoon was oppressively hot when +Gordon, floundering among the whitened driftwood +piled along the river-bank, came upon Nasmyth, who +lay upon a slope of rock, with his hands, which were +badly bruised, clenched upon a drill. Another man, who +stood upon a plank inserted into a crevice, swung a hammer, +and its ponderous head came ringing down upon +the drill, which Nasmyth jerked round at every stroke, +so many times to the minute, with rhythmic regularity. +As Nasmyth was apparently too busily engaged just +then to trouble about him, Gordon sat down on a big +log, and taking out his pipe, looked about him when he +had lighted it.</p> +<p>The river had made a gap for itself in the great forest +that filled the valley, and the sombre firs that rose in +serried ranks upon its farther bank rolled back up the +hillside, streaked here and there with a little thin white +mist. A mile or so away, and lower down the valley, +there was an opening in their shadowy masses, out of +which rose the ringing of hammers and a long trail of +smoke, for workmen from the cities were building the +new wood-pulp mill there. In the foreground the +river swirled by, frothing at flood level, for a week’s +fierce sunshine had succeeded a month of torrential rain, +and the snow high up on a distant peak was melting +fast.</p> +<p>Nobody about the little settlement at the head of the +deep inlet had seen the water quite so high at that season, +and Gordon noticed how it frothed and boiled about the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_46' name='page_46'></a>46</span> +row of stone-backed piles that stretched out from either +bank. As he listened to the hoarse roar of the pent-up +torrent, he understood what that partly completed dam +must have cost Nasmyth. After a little time Nasmyth +rose, and, stepping on the plank, wearily straightened his +back.</p> +<p>“We’re down far enough,” he announced. “Let me +have the two sticks of giant-powder, and then tell the +boys to jump for cover.”</p> +<p>The other man, who sprang down from his perch, +handed him what appeared to be two thick sticks of +yellow wax, and Gordon watched him as he carefully +nipped a copper detonator down on a length of snaky +fuse, and embedded it in the plastic material. Then +he cautiously tamped the two yellow rolls down into the +drilled-out hole. After that he lighted the fuse, and, +clambering down the slope of rock, saw Gordon.</p> +<p>“We’ll get out of this. It’s a short fuse,” he said.</p> +<p>Gordon, who was acquainted with the action of giant-powder, +had no desire to stay, and they floundered as +fast as possible over the driftwood and masses of shattered +rock until Nasmyth drew his companion behind a +towering fir. Then there was a sharp detonation, a +crash, and a shower of flying stones went smashing +through the forest and into the river. One, which Gordon +fancied must have weighed about two hundred +pounds, drove close past them, and struck a young cedar, +which snapped off beneath the impact. Then there was +a sudden silence, and Nasmyth stretched out his arms +with a suggestive weariness before he sat down and took +out his pipe.</p> +<p>“No one could have expected that stone to come this +way,” he remarked, with a little laugh. “It’s an example +of how contrary things can be. In fact, they’ve been +about as contrary as it’s possible the last month or so. +As no doubt you have noticed, one very seldom gets +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_47' name='page_47'></a>47</span> +much encouragement when he takes the uphill trail. It’s +very rarely made any easier for him.”</p> +<p>Gordon grinned, though he realized that the trail his +companion had set out upon was very steep indeed. He +had secured the dam-building contract, which was not +astonishing, since nobody else appeared anxious to undertake +it, and he had already acquired a certain proficiency +with the axe and drill. There is as yet very little specialization +in that land, which is in many respects fortunate +for those who live in it, and the small rancher cheerfully +undertakes any kind of primitive engineering that +seems likely to provide him with a few dollars, from +building timber bridges to blasting waggon roads out of +the hardest rock. What is more, he usually makes a success +of it. In Nasmyth’s case, however, the rise of water +had made his task almost insuperably difficult, and it had +already left a certain mark on him. Gordon, who was, +after all, a doctor, naturally noticed this as he watched +him.</p> +<p>Nasmyth was very lean now, but he was also hard +and muscular, and the old blue shirt, which hung open +at the neck, and torn duck trousers, which clung about +him still wet with river-water, accentuated the wiry +suppleness of his frame; but it was in his face that Gordon +noticed the greatest change. The good-humoured, +tolerant indifference he remembered had melted out of +it, the lips seemed set more firmly, and the eyes were +resolute and keen. Nasmyth, so Gordon noticed, had +grown since he first took up his duties as Waynefleet’s +hired hand. Still, though it was less apparent, the stamp +of refinement and what Gordon called, for want of a +better term, “sensibility,” clung to him, and it seemed +to the trained observer that the qualities it suggested +might yet handicap his comrade in a country where the +struggle with primitive forces chiefly demands from man +an unreasoning animal courage. In that land the small +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_48' name='page_48'></a>48</span> +contractor and Bush-rancher must bear the brunt on +his body every day, toiling waist-deep in icy waters, or +gripping the drill with bleeding hands, while each fresh +misfortune that follows flood and frost is met with a +further strain on weary muscles and sterner resolution. +It is a fight that is usually hardest for the man who +thinks, and in which the one thing that counts is the +brutal, bulldog valour that takes hold and holds on in +spite of each crushing blow.</p> +<p>“This high water,” said Gordon, “has kept you back +considerably.”</p> +<p>“It has,” Nasmyth replied with emphasis. “It has +cost me more money that I care to figure up the last +month, and we’re considerably behind. The dam’s still +at the mercy of the next big flood.”</p> +<p>“It’s a little curious that you seem to stand it better +than you did the logging,” said Gordon, with a quick +glance at him.</p> +<p>Nasmyth appeared to consider this. “I do, and that’s +a fact. For one thing, I’m fighting for my own hand, +and no doubt that counts, though, perhaps, it doesn’t go +quite far enough. After all, it’s a point you ought to +know more about than I do.”</p> +<p>His companion smiled. “I can describe the mechanical +connection between the thought in a man’s brain and +the movement of his muscles. It’s comparatively simple; +but when you understand that, you’re only beginning. +There’s much more behind. To particularize, if you had +done what you’re doing now when you were logging, it +would, in all probability, have broken you up again.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth fancied that this was correct, though, as he +had admitted, he could give no reason for it. He was +only conscious that he was being constrained by some +new influence, and, under the pressure it laid upon him, +he became almost insensible to physical weariness. He +had now a motive for fighting, in place of drifting, that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_49' name='page_49'></a>49</span> +no mere hired hand can possess. His indolent content +had been rudely dissipated, and something that had lain +dormant in the depths of his nature had come uppermost. +It was certainly Laura Waynefleet who had given it the +first impulse, but why he had permitted her to impose +her will on him was a matter that was still incomprehensible +to him. Seeing that he did not answer, Gordon +changed the subject.</p> +<p>“Some of the boys and I have been wondering how +you contrived to finance the thing,” he said.</p> +<p>Nasmyth smiled, though there was just a trace of +darker colour in his face. “Well,” he replied, “one can +get tolerably long credit from most of the Bush stores, +and Clipton has let me have provisions for the boys on +quite reasonable terms. Besides, as it happens, there is +money in the family. There was a time when one might +have considered it almost the duty of certain relatives of +mine to give me a lift, but I didn’t offer them the opportunity. +I came out here and set about driving cows +and chopping trees instead.”</p> +<p>“You felt you’d sooner cut your hand off than give +them a gentle hint,” remarked Gordon. “It’s not an +uncommon feeling, but, when you give way to it, it clears +the other people. Won’t you go on?”</p> +<p>“When I undertook this affair, I laid the opportunity +before them, and one––the last I expected anything of that +kind from––sent me out a draft. He kindly pointed out +that there appeared to be in me certain capabilities, which +he had never supposed I possessed, and added that, if I +ever really succeeded in building a dam or anything else +useful, he would be pleased to take a share in my next +venture. In the meanwhile, he would charge me interest +on the amount of that draft. Perhaps I may mention +that the man in question was naturally the one the rest +of them rather looked down upon.”</p> +<p>Gordon laughed. “Oh, yes,” he said, “I like that, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_50' name='page_50'></a>50</span> +naturally. I guess you would have taken their view of +him once. Well, since you can put your pride in your +pocket, you’re evidently growing. There’s just one way +of putting anything through here, and that’s to take hold +and hang right on, no matter what it costs. I guess +there’s one of the boys wanting you.”</p> +<p>A man stood knee-deep in the river waving his hand. +Nasmyth rose and stretched himself.</p> +<p>“They seem to want me all the time from sun-up until +it’s dark,” he said. “In one way it’s a little curious, +since there’s reason to believe that most of them know a +good deal more about what we’re doing than I do myself. +You’ll excuse me.”</p> +<p>Gordon smiled as his comrade strode away. He was +one who had studied human nature, and because he was +well acquainted with the Bushman’s capabilities, he knew +that there were also limitations to them. Even in such +matters as the splitting of hard rock and the driving of +massive piles into the river-bed, the higher intelligence +of the man of intellect had its effect. Gordon smoked +his pipe out as he watched Nasmyth flounder into the +stream among the other men, pushing a little car loaded +with broken rock that apparently ran along a submerged +track. Then he strolled back toward the +settlement.</p> +<p>Nasmyth toiled on in the river until the camp-cook +hammered upon a suspended iron sheet as a signal that +supper was ready. The summons was answered without +delay. With the water running from their clothing Nasmyth +and his men went back to the little log shanty. +One or two changed their dripping garments, but the +rest left their clothes to dry upon them, as their employer +did. When the plentiful, warm supper had been eaten, +Nasmyth went back to the little hut that served him as +store and sleeping quarters. A big, grizzled man from +Mattawa, Ontario, went in with him, and lounged upon +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_51' name='page_51'></a>51</span> +the table while he sat in his bunk, which was filled +with fresh spruce twigs.</p> +<p>“I’m pretty well played out, and if I’m to work to-morrow, +I’ve got to sleep to-night,” said Nasmyth.</p> +<p>The grizzled axeman nodded. “Well,” he volunteered, +“I’ll stand watch. I was in the last two nights, +and I guess it’s up to me to see you through. We’re +going to have trouble, if one of those big logs fetches up +across the sluiceway. The river’s full of them, and she’s +risen ’most a foot since sun-up.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth held up one hand, and both heard the deep +roar of frothing water that came in with the smell of +the firs through the open door. The Bush was very +still outside, and that hoarse, throbbing note flung back +by the rock slope and climbing pines filled the valley. +Nasmyth smiled grimly, for it was suggestive of the great +forces against which he had pitted his puny strength. +Then there was a crash, and, a few moments later, a +curious thud, and both men listened, intent and strung +up, until the turmoil of the river rose alone again.</p> +<p>“A big log,” said the older man. “She has gone +through the run. Guess we’ll get one by-and-by long +enough to jamb. Now, if you’d run out those wing-frames +I was stuck on, she’d have took them straight +through, every one.”</p> +<p>“The trouble was that I hadn’t the money, Mattawa,” +said Nasmyth dryly.</p> +<p>His companion nodded, for this was a trouble he could +understand. “Well,” he answered, “when you haven’t +got it you have to face the consequences. I’ll roust you +out if a big log comes along.”</p> +<p>Mattawa went out, and soon afterwards Nasmyth, +whose clothes were now partly dry, lay down, dressed +as he was, in his twig-packed bunk, with his pipe in his +hand. It was growing a little colder, and a keen air, +which had in it the properties of an elixir, blew in, but +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_52' name='page_52'></a>52</span> +that was a thing Nasmyth scarcely noticed, and the dominant +roar of the river held his attention. He wondered +again why he had been drawn into the conflict with it, +or, rather, why he had permitted Laura Waynefleet to +set him such a task, and the answer that it was because +he desired to hold her good opinion, and, as he had said, +to do her credit, did not seem to go far enough. It +merely suggested the further question why he should wish +to keep her friendship. Still, there was no disguising the +fact that, once he had undertaken the thing, it had got +hold of him, and he felt he must go on until his task was +successfully accomplished or he was crushed and beaten. +It seemed very likely, then, that utter defeat would be +his fate. While he pondered, the pipe fell from his +hand, and the river’s turmoil rang in deep pulsations +through his dreams. He was awakened suddenly by a +wet hand on his shoulder, and, scrambling out of his +bunk on the instant, he saw Mattawa with a lantern in +his hand.</p> +<p>“Log right across the sluice-run,” said the watcher. +“More coming along behind it. They’ll sure get piling +up.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth did not remember that he gave any directions +when he sprang, half asleep, out of the shanty. The +roar of water had a different note in it, and the clangour +of the iron sheet one of the men was pounding rang +out harshly. A half-moon hung above the black pines, +and dimly-seen men were flitting like shadows toward the +waterside. They appeared to know what it was advisable +to do, but they stopped just a moment on the +edge of the torrent, for which nobody could have blamed +them. The water, streaked with smears of froth and +foam, swirled by, and there was a tumultuous white +seething where the flood boiled across the log in the midst +of the stream. The log blocked the gap left open to let +the driftwood through, and, as Nasmyth knew, great +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_53' name='page_53'></a>53</span> +trees torn up in distant valleys were coming down with +the flood. It seemed to him that he could not reasonably +have expected to clear that obstacle with a battalion of +log-drivers, and he had only a handful of weary men. +Still the men went in, floundering knee-deep in the +flood, along the submerged pile of stone and clutching at +the piles that bound it to save themselves when the stream +threatened to sweep their feet from under them, until they +came to the gap where the great tree, rolling in the grip +of the torrent, thrashed its grinding branches against +the stone.</p> +<p>Then, though it was difficult to see how a man of +them found a foothold, or kept it on the heaving trunk, +the big axes flashed and fell, while a few shadowy figures +ran along the top of the log to attack the massy butt +across the opening. It would have been arduous labour +in daylight and at low-water, but these were men who +had faced the most that flood and frost could do. They +set about their task in the dark, for that land would +have been a wilderness still if the men in it had shown +themselves unduly careful of either life or limb.</p> +<p>The great branches yielded beneath the glinting blades, +and went on down river again, but Nasmyth, who felt +the axe-haft slip in his greasy hands, did not try to lead. +It was sufficient if he could keep pace with the rest of +the wood-choppers, which was, after all, a thing most +men, reared as he had been, would certainly not have +done. The lust of conflict was upon him that night, +and, balancing himself ankle-deep in water on the trunk +that heaved and dipped beneath him, he swung the trenchant +steel. He felt that he was pitted against great +primeval forces, and, with the gorged veins rising on his +forehead and the perspiration dripping from him, man’s +primitive pride and passions urged him to the struggle.</p> +<p>How long it was before they had stripped the tree +to a bare log he did not know, but twice, as they toiled +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_54' name='page_54'></a>54</span> +on, he saw a man splash into the river, and, rising in the +eddy beneath the submerged dam, crawl, dripping, out +again, and at length he found himself beside Mattawa, +whirling his axe above a widening notch, and keeping +rhythmic stroke. He knew he was acquitting himself +creditably then, for Mattawa had swung the axe since +he could lift it, and there are men, and mechanics, too, +who cannot learn to use it as the Bushmen do in a lifetime; +but he also knew that he could not keep pace with +his comrade very long. In the meanwhile, he held his +aching muscles to their task, and the gleaming blades +whirled high above their shoulders in the pale light of +the moon. As each left the widening gap the other came +shearing down.</p> +<p>The other men were now plying peevie and handspike +at the butt of the log, and he and Mattawa toiled on +alone, two dim and shadowy figures in the midst of the +flood, until at last there was a rending of fibres, and Mattawa +leapt clear.</p> +<p>“Jump!” he gasped. “She’s going.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth jumped. He went down in four or five feet +of water, and had the sense to stay there while the log +drove over him. Then he came up, and clutching it, +held on while it swept downstream into a slacker eddy. +There were several other figures apparently clinging to +the butt of it, and when he saw them slip off into the +river one by one, he let go, too. He was swung out of +the eddy into a white turmoil, which hurled him against +froth-lapped stones, but at length he found sure footing, +and crawled up the bank, which most of his companions +had reached before him. When the others came up, he +found that he was aching all over, and evidently was +badly bruised. He stood still, shivering a little, and +blinked at them.</p> +<p>“You’re all here?” he said. “Where are those +axes?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_55' name='page_55'></a>55</span></div> +<p>It appeared that most of them were in the river, which +was not very astonishing, for a man cannot reasonably +be expected to swim through a flood with a big axe in +his hand, and when somebody said so, Nasmyth made +a little gesture of resignation.</p> +<p>“Well,” he said, “the logs will just have to pile up, +if another big one comes along before the morning.”</p> +<p>This was evident. They were all dead weary, and +most of them were badly bruised, as well, and they +trooped back to the shanty, while Nasmyth limped into +his hut. Nasmyth sloughed off his dripping garments, +and was asleep in five minutes after he had crawled into +his bunk.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_56' name='page_56'></a>56</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_VI_THE_BREAKING_OF_THE_DAM' id='CHAPTER_VI_THE_BREAKING_OF_THE_DAM'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> +<h3>THE BREAKING OF THE DAM</h3> +</div> +<p>A faint grey light was creeping into the shanty +when Nasmyth awoke again, and lay still for a +minute or two, while his senses came slowly back to him. +The first thing of which he was definitely conscious was +a physical discomfort that rendered the least movement +painful. He felt sore all over, and there was a distressful +ache in one hip and shoulder, which he fancied was +the result of falling on the log, or perhaps of having +been hurled against the boulders by the rapids through +which he had reached the bank. His physical condition +did not trouble him seriously, for he had grown more or +less accustomed to muscular weariness, and the cramping +pains which spring from toiling long hours in cold water, +and, although he made a grimace, as he raised himself a +trifle, it was the sound outside that occupied most of +his attention.</p> +<p>The door stood open, as he had left it, and a clean, +cold air that stirred his blood came in, with the smell of +fir and cedar, but what he noticed was the deeper tone +in the roar of the river that seemed flung back in +sonorous antiphones by the climbing pines. It had occurred +to him on other occasions when he was in a +fanciful mood that they were singing a majestic <i>Benedicite</i>, +but just then he was uneasily conscious that there +was a new note in the great reverberating harmonies. +Stately pine and towering cedar had raised their voices, +too, and a wild wailing fell through the long waves of +sound from the highest of them on the crest of the hill. +It was evident that a fresh breeze was blowing down the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_57' name='page_57'></a>57</span> +valley, and, as it must have swept the hollow farther +up among the ranges, which was filled with a deep blue +lake, Nasmyth realized that it would drive at least another +foot of water into the river as well as set adrift +the giant logs that lay among the boulders. Even then +they were, he fancied, in all probability driving down +upon his half-finished dam.</p> +<p>Rousing himself with an effort, he clambered out of +his bunk, and then gripped the little table hard, for his +hip pained him horribly as his weight came upon it. +Then, as he struggled into his clothing, there was a +heavy thud outside, that was followed by a crashing and +grinding, and a gasping man appeared in the door of the +shanty.</p> +<p>“Big log across the run,” he cried, “three or four +more of them coming along.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth, who said nothing, set his lips tight, and +was out of the shanty in another moment or two. +A glance at the river showed him that any effort he could +make would, in all probability, be futile; but he and +the others waded out into the flood and recommenced +the struggle. That, at least, was a thing they owed to +themselves, and they toiled for an hour or two very much +as they had done in the darkness; only that fresh logs +were now coming down on them every few minutes, +and at last they recognized that they were beaten. Then +they went back dejectedly, and Nasmyth sat down to +breakfast, though he had very little appetite. He felt +that all the strength he had would be needed that day.</p> +<p>After breakfast he lay among the boulders gnawing +his unlighted pipe and watching the growing mass of +driftwood that chafed and ground against the piles of +the dam. Nothing, he recognized, could save the dam +now. It was bound to go, for the piles were only partly +backed with stone, and, in any case, men do not build in +that new country as they do in England. Their needs +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_58' name='page_58'></a>58</span> +are constantly varying, and their works are intended +merely to serve the purpose of the hour. It is a growing +country, and the men in it know that the next generation +will not be content with anything that they can +do, and, what is more to the purpose, they themselves +will want something bigger and more efficient in another +year or two. Hence the dam was a somewhat frail and +temporary structure of timber as well as stone, but it +would probably have done what was asked of it had it +been completed before the floods set in. As it was, +Nasmyth knew that he would see the end of it before +another hour slipped by.</p> +<p>It came even sooner than he had expected. There +was a dull crash; the piles that rose above the flood +collapsed, and the mass of grinding timber drove on +across the ruined dam. Then Nasmyth rose, and, +stretching himself wearily, went back to his shanty. +He felt he could not face the sympathy of his workmen. +He was still sitting there in a state of utter physical +weariness and black dejection, when, towards the middle +of the afternoon, the door was quietly opened, and Laura +Waynefleet came in. She looked at him as he remembered +she had done once or twice at the ranch, with +compassion in her eyes, and he was a little astonished +to feel that, instead of bringing him consolation, her +pity hurt him. Then he felt the blood rise to his face, +and he looked away from her.</p> +<p>“You have heard already?” he asked.</p> +<p>“Yes,” said the girl softly. “I was at the settlement, +and they told me there. I am so sorry.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth winced, but he contrived to say, “Thank +you,” and then glanced round the untidy shanty, which +was strewn with dripping clothes. “Of course,” he +added, “it is something to know that I have your sympathy; +but I must not keep you here.”</p> +<p>It was not a tactful speech, but Laura smiled. “I +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_59' name='page_59'></a>59</span> +meant to take you out,” she said. “You have been sitting +here brooding since the dam went, and from what +Mattawa told me, you haven’t had any dinner.”</p> +<p>“No,” said Nasmyth; “now I come to think of it, I +don’t believe I have. I’m not sure it’s very astonishing.”</p> +<p>“Then we’ll go away somewhere and make tea among +the pines.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth glanced suggestively at his attire. His duck +jacket had shrunk with constant wetting, and would not +button across the old blue shirt, which fell apart at his +bronzed neck. The sleeves had also drawn up from his +wrists, and left the backs of his hands unduly prominent. +His hands were scarred, and the fingers were bruised +where the hammer-head had fallen on them in wet +weather as it glanced from the drill. The girl was +immaculate in a white hat and a dress of light flowered +print.</p> +<p>“Do I look like going on a picnic with you?” he said. +“The few other things I possess are in much the same +condition.”</p> +<p>Laura had naturally noticed the state of his attire, +but it was his face that troubled her. It was haggard +and his eyes were heavy. As she had decided long before, +it was a face of Grecian type, and she would sooner +have had it Roman. This man, she felt, was too sensitive, +and apt to yield to sudden impulses, and just then +her heart ached over him. Still, she contrived to laugh.</p> +<p>“Pshaw!” she said. “I told Mattawa to get me a +few things ready.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth followed her out of the shanty, and when +he had picked up the basket and kettle somebody had +left at the door, she turned to him.</p> +<p>“Where shall we go?” she asked.</p> +<p>“Anywhere,” said Nasmyth, “that is, as long as it’s +away from the river.” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_60' name='page_60'></a>60</span></p> +<p>Laura saw the shrinking in his eyes as he gazed at +the swirling flood, and though she was sorry for him, +it roused in her a momentary spark of anger. Then +she went with him up the hillside beneath the climbing +pines until they reached a shadowy hollow near the crest +of it, out of which a little stream trickled down.</p> +<p>“Now light a fire, while I see what there is in the +basket,” she said.</p> +<p>She found a splendid trout, a packet of tea, and a +little bag of self-raising flour, among other sundries, +and for the next half-hour she kept Nasmyth busy making +flapjacks and frying the trout. Then they sat down +to a simple meal, and when it was over, Nasmyth +laughed.</p> +<p>“It’s a little astonishing, in view of how I felt at +breakfast, but there’s nothing left,” he sighed. “In one +way the admission’s a little humiliating, but I almost +feel myself again.”</p> +<p>“It’s supposed to be a very natural one in the case +of a man,” said Laura. “You can smoke if you like. +I want to talk to you.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth stretched himself out on the other side of +the fire, and Laura, leaning forward a little, looked at +him. Without knowing exactly why, he felt somewhat +uneasy beneath her gaze.</p> +<p>“Now,” she said, “I would like to hear what you are +going to do.”</p> +<p>The man made a little rueful gesture. “I don’t +know. Chop trees again for some rancher, most probably––in +fact, I was wondering whether you would have +me back as a ranch-hand.”</p> +<p>“Ah!” cried the girl sharply, while a trace of hardness +crept into her eyes, “that is very much what I expected. +As it happens, I am far from satisfied with the +man we have, but I should not think of replacing him +with you just now.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_61' name='page_61'></a>61</span></div> +<p>Nasmyth winced, and it was characteristic of him that +he endeavoured to beguile her away from the object she +evidently had in view.</p> +<p>“What’s the matter with the man?” he asked.</p> +<p>“A diversity of gifts. Among other things, he appears +to possess an extensive acquaintance with Colonial +politics, and he and my father discuss the regeneration +of the Government when they might with advantage be +doing something else.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth frowned. “I understand. That’s one +reason why I wanted to come back. After all, there is +a good deal I could save you from. In fact, I get savage +now and then when I think of what you are probably +being left to do upon the ranch. I ventured a hint +or two to your father, but he seemed impervious.” He +hesitated for a moment. “No doubt it’s a delicate subject, +but it’s a little difficult quietly to contemplate the +fact that, while those men talk politics, you––”</p> +<p>“I do their work?” suggested Laura with a lifting +of her arched eyebrows. “After all, isn’t that or something +like it what generally happens when men turn +their backs upon their task?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth flushed. “I admit that I was trying to +break away from mine, but it seems you have undertaken +to head me off and drive me back to it again.”</p> +<p>“That was more or less what I wished,” said Laura +quietly.</p> +<p>“Well,” Nasmyth replied, “as I think you’re a little +hard on me, I’ll try to put my views before you. To +begin with, the dam is done for.”</p> +<p>“You are quite sure? You built it so far once. Is +it altogether out of the question for you to do as much +again?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth felt his face grow hot. She was looking at +him with quiet eyes, which had, however, the faintest +suggestion of disdain in them.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_62' name='page_62'></a>62</span></div> +<p>“The question is why I should want to do it,” he +said.</p> +<p>“Ah!” rejoined Laura, “you have no aspirations at +all? Still, I’m not quite sure that is exactly what I +mean––in fact, I think I mean considerably more. You +are quite content to throw away your birthright, and +relinquish all claim to the station you were born in?”</p> +<p>The man smiled somewhat bitterly. “I think you +understand that it’s a custom of this country not to demand +from any man an account of what he may have +done before he came out to it. In my particular case +it was, however, nothing very discreditable, and I once +had my aspirations, or, as you prefer to consider it, I +recognized my obligations. Then the blow fell unexpectedly, +and I came out here and became a hired man––a +wandering chopper. After all, one learns to be content +rather easily, which is in several ways fortunate. +Then you instilled fresh aspirations––it’s the right word +in this case––into me, and I made another attempt, only +to be hurled back again. There doesn’t seem to be +much use in attempting the impossible.”</p> +<p>“Then a thing is to be considered impossible after +one fails twice? There are men who fail––and go on +again––all their lives long.”</p> +<p>“I’m afraid,” Nasmyth declared in a dull tone, “I +am not that kind of man. After all, to be flung down +from the station you were born to––I’m using your own +words––and turned suddenly adrift to labour with one’s +hands takes a good deal of the courage out of one. I +almost think if you could put yourself in my place you +would understand.”</p> +<p>Laura smiled in a suggestive fashion, and looked +down at the hands she laid upon her knee. They +were capable, as well as shapely, and, as he had noticed +more than once, the signs of toil were very plain on +them.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_63' name='page_63'></a>63</span></div> +<p>“I never did an hour’s useful work before I came out +West,” she said.</p> +<p>She had produced the effect she probably desired, for +in the midst of his sudden pity for her Nasmyth was +troubled with a sense of shame. This girl, he realized, +had been reared as gently as he had been himself, and +he knew that she now toiled most of every day at what +in the older country would have been considered most +unwomanly tasks. Still, she had borne with it cheerfully, +and had courage to spare for others whose strength +was less than hers.</p> +<p>He sat silent for almost a minute, looking down between +the great pines into the valley, and, as he did so, +he vaguely felt the influence of the wilderness steal over +him. The wind had fallen now, and there was a deep +stillness in the climbing forest which the roar of the +river emphasized. Those trees were vast of girth, and +they were very cold. In spite of whirling snow, and gale, +and frost, they had grown slowly to an impressive stateliness. +In Nature, as he recognized, all was conflict, +and it was the fine adjustment of opposing forces that +made for the perfection of grace, and strength, and +beauty. Then it seemed to him that his companion was +like the forest––still, and strong, and stately––because +she had been through the stress of conflict too. These +were, however, fancies, and he turned around again to +her with a sudden resolution expressed in his face and +attitude.</p> +<p>“There’s an argument you might have used, Miss +Waynefleet,” he told her. “I said I would try to do +you credit, and it almost seems as if I had forgotten it. +Well, if you will wait a little, I will try again.”</p> +<p>He rose, and, crossing over, stood close beside her, +with his hand laid gently on her shoulder, looking down +on her with a quiet smile. “After all,” he added, +“there’s a good deal you might have said that you +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_64' name='page_64'></a>64</span> +haven’t––in fact, it’s one of your strong points that, as +a rule, you content yourself with going just far enough. +Well, because you wish it, I am somehow going to build +that dam again.”</p> +<p>She looked up at him swiftly with a gleam in her eyes, +and Nasmyth stooped a little, while his hand closed hard +upon her shoulder.</p> +<p>“You saved my life, and you have tried to do almost +as much in a different way since then,” he went on. +“It is probably easier to bring a sick man back to health +than it is to make him realize his obligations and to imbue +him with the courage to face them when it’s evident +that he doesn’t possess it. Still, you can’t do things of +that kind without results, and I think you ought to +know that I belong to you.”</p> +<p>There was a trace of colour in Laura Waynefleet’s +face, and she quivered a little under his grasp, but she +looked at him steadily, and read his mind in his eyes. +The man was stirred by sudden, evanescent passion and +exaggerated gratitude, while pity for her had, she fancied, +also its effect on him; but that was the last thing she +desired, and, with a swift movement, she shook off his +hand.</p> +<p>“Ah!” she said; “don’t spoil things.”</p> +<p>Her tone was quiet, but it was decisive, and Nasmyth, +whose face flushed darkly, let his hand fall back to his +side. Then she rose, and turned to him.</p> +<p>“If we are to be friends, this must never happen +again,” she added.</p> +<p>Then they went down the hillside and back to the +settlement, where Nasmyth harnessed the team, which +the rancher who lived near occasionally placed at Waynefleet’s +disposal, to a dilapidated waggon. When she +gathered the reins up, Laura smiled down on him.</p> +<p>“After all,” she reminded him, “you will remember +that I expect you to do me credit.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_65' name='page_65'></a>65</span></div> +<p>She drove away, and Nasmyth walked back to his +camp beside the dam, where the men were awaiting the +six o’clock supper. He leaned upon a pine-stump, looking +at them gravely, when he had called them together.</p> +<p>“Boys,” he said, “the river, as you know, has wiped +out most of the dam. Now, it was a tight fit for me +to finance the thing, and I don’t get any further payment +until the stone-work’s graded to a certain level. Well, +if you leave me now, I’ve just enough money in hand to +square off with each of you. You see, if you go you’re +sure of your pay. If you stay, most of the money will +go to settle the storekeeper’s and the powder bills, and +should we fail again, you’ll have thrown your time away. +I’d like you to understand the thing; but whether you +stay or not, I’m holding on.”</p> +<p>There was silence for half a minute, and then the men, +gathering into little groups, whispered to one another, +until Mattawa stood forward.</p> +<p>“All you have to do is to go straight ahead. We’re +coming along with you solid––every blame one of us,” +he said.</p> +<p>A red flush crept into Nasmyth’s face.</p> +<p>“Thank you, boys. After that I’ve got to put this +contract through,” he answered.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_66' name='page_66'></a>66</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_VII_LAURA_MAKES_A_DRESS' id='CHAPTER_VII_LAURA_MAKES_A_DRESS'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> +<h3>LAURA MAKES A DRESS</h3> +</div> +<p>The frost had grown keener as darkness crept over +the forest, and the towering pines about the clearing +rose in great black spires into the nipping air, but it was +almost unpleasantly hot in the little general room of +Waynefleet’s ranch. Waynefleet, who was fond of +physical comfort, had gorged the snapping stove, and +the smell of hot iron filled the log-walled room. There +was also a dryness in its atmosphere which would probably +have had an unpleasant effect upon anyone not used +to it. The rancher, however, did not appear to feel it. +He lay drowsily in a big hide chair, and his old velvet +jacket and evening shoes were strangely out of harmony +with his surroundings. Waynefleet made it a rule to +dress for the six o’clock meal, which he persisted in calling +dinner.</p> +<p>He had disposed of a quantity of potatoes and apples +at the settlement of late, and had now a really excellent +cigar in his hand, while a little cup of the Mocha coffee, +brought from Victoria for his especial use, stood on the +table beside him. Waynefleet had cultivated tastes, +and invariably gratified them, when it was possible, +while it had not occurred to him that there was anything +significant in the fact that his daughter confined +herself to the acrid green tea provided by the settlement +store. He never did notice a point of that kind, and, if +anyone had ventured to call his attention to it, he would +probably have been indignant as well as astonished. As +a rule, however, nobody endeavours to impress unpleasant +facts upon men of Waynefleet’s character. In their +case it is clearly not worth while.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_67' name='page_67'></a>67</span></div> +<p>“Do you intend to go on with that dressmaking much +longer?” he asked petulantly. “The click of your +scissors has an irritating effect on me, and, as you may +have noticed, I cannot spread my paper on the table. It +cramps one’s arms to hold it up.”</p> +<p>Laura swept part of the litter of fabric off the table, +and it was only natural that she did it a trifle abruptly. +She had been busy with rough tasks, from most of which +her father might have relieved her had he possessed +a less fastidious temperament, until supper, and there +were reasons why she desired an hour or two to +herself.</p> +<p>“I will not be longer than I can help,” she said.</p> +<p>Waynefleet lifted his eyebrows sardonically as he +glanced at the scattered strips of fabric. “This,” he +said, “is evidently in preparation for that ridiculous +pulp-mill ball. In view of the primitive manners of +the people we shall be compelled to mix with, I really +think I am exercising a good deal of self-denial in consenting +to go at all. Why you should wish to do so is, +I confess, altogether beyond me.”</p> +<p>“I understood that you considered it advisable to +keep on good terms with the manager,” said Laura, with +a trace of impatience. “He has bought a good deal of +produce from you to feed his workmen with.”</p> +<p>Her father made a gesture of resignation. “One +has certainly to put up with a good deal that is unpleasant +in this barbarous land––in fact, almost everything +in it jars upon one,” he complained. “You, however, +I have sometimes wondered to notice, appear almost +content here.”</p> +<p>Laura looked up with a smile, but said nothing. She, +at least, had the sense and the courage to make the most +of what could not be changed. It was a relief to her +when, a minute or two later, the hired man opened the +door.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_68' name='page_68'></a>68</span></div> +<p>“If you’ve got the embrocation, I guess I’ll give that +ox’s leg a rub,” he said.</p> +<p>Waynefleet rose and turned to the girl. “I’ll put on +my rubber overshoes,” he announced. “As I mentioned +that I might have to go out, it’s a pity you didn’t think +of laying out my coat to warm.”</p> +<p>Laura brought the overshoes, and he permitted her to +fasten them for him and to hold his coat while he put it +on, after which he went out grumbling, and she sat +down again to her sewing with a strained expression in +her eyes, for there were times when her father tried her +patience severely. She sighed as she contemplated the +partly rigged-up dress stretched out on the table, for she +could not help remembering how she had last worn it at +a brilliant English function. Then she had been flattered +and courted, and now she was merely an unpaid +toiler on the lonely ranch. Money was, as a rule, signally +scarce there, but even when there were a few dollars +in Waynefleet’s possession, it seldom occurred to him to +offer any of them to his daughter. It is also certain that +nobody could have convinced him that it was only +through her efforts he was able to keep the ranch going +at all. She never suggested anything of the kind to him, +but she felt now and then that her burden was almost +beyond her strength.</p> +<p>She quietly went on with her sewing. There was to +be a dance at the new pulp-mill, which had just been +roofed, and, after all, she was young, and could take a +certain pleasure in the infrequent festivities of her adopted +country. Besides, the forest ranchers dance well, and +there were men among them who had once followed +other occupations; while she knew that Nasmyth would +be there––in fact, having at length raised his dam to the +desired level, he would be to a certain extent an honoured +guest. She was not exactly sure how she regarded +him, though it was not altogether as a comrade, and she +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_69' name='page_69'></a>69</span> +felt there was, in one sense, some justice in his admission +that he belonged to her. She had, in all probability, +saved his life, and––what was, perhaps, as much––had +roused him from supine acquiescence, and inspired him +with a sustaining purpose. After the day when she had +saved him from abject despair over his ruined dam, he +had acquitted himself valiantly, and she had a quiet pride +in him. Moreover, she was aware of a natural desire to +appear to advantage at the approaching dance.</p> +<p>There was, however, difficulty to be grappled with. +The dress was old, and when remade in a later style +would be unfortunately plain. The few pairs of gloves +she had brought from England were stained and spotted +with damp, and her eyes grew wistful as she turned over +the stock list of a Victoria dry goods store. The thing +would be so easy, if she had only a little more money, +but she sighed as she glanced into her purse. Then she +took up the gloves and a strip of trimming, and looked +at them with a little frown, but while she did so there +were footsteps outside, and the door was opened. A +man, whom she recognized as a hired hand from a ranch +in the neighbourhood, stood in the entrance with a packet +in his hand.</p> +<p>“I won’t come in,” he said. “I met Nasmyth down +at the settlement. He’d just come back from Victoria, +and he asked me to bring this along.”</p> +<p>He went away after he had handed her the packet, +and a gleam of pleasure crept into Laura’s eyes when +she opened it. There was first of all a box of gloves +of various colours, and then inside another packet a +wonderful piece of lace. The artistic delicacy of the lace +appealed to her, for though she possessed very few dainty +things she was fond of them, and she almost fancied +that she had not seen anything of the kind more beautiful +in England.</p> +<p>As she unfolded it a strip of paper fell out, and the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_70' name='page_70'></a>70</span> +warm blood swept into her face as she read the message +on it.</p> +<p>“Considering everything, I really don’t think you +could regard it as a liberty,” it ran. “You have given +me a good deal more than this.”</p> +<p>Then for just a moment her eyes grew hazy. In +proportion to the man’s means, it was a costly gift, and, +except for him, nobody had shown her much consideration +since she had left England. She was a trifle perplexed, +for she did not think there was lace of that kind +on sale often in Victoria, and, in regard to the gloves, +it was not evident how he had known her size. Then she +remembered that one of the cotton ones she sometimes +wore had disappeared some little time before, and once +more the flush crept into her cheeks. That almost decided +her not to wear his lace, but she felt that to refrain +from doing so would raise the question as to how they +stood with regard to one another, which was one she did +not desire to think out closely then; and, after all, the +lace was exactly what she wanted to complete the dress. +She rolled it together, and put it and the gloves away, +but she treasured the little note.</p> +<p>It was a week later when her father drove her to the +pulp-mill in a jolting waggon, and arrived there a little +earlier than he had expected. A dance usually begins +with a bountiful supper in that country, but Waynefleet, +who was, as a rule, willing to borrow implements +or teams from his Bush neighbours, would seldom eat +with them when he could help it. He was accordingly +not quite pleased to find the supper had not yet been cleared +away, but Laura, who understood what he was feeling, +contrived to lead him into a vacant place at one of the +tables. Then she sat down, and looked about her.</p> +<p>The great room was hung with flags and cedar boughs, +and the benches down the long uncovered tables were +crowded. The men’s attire was motley––broadcloth +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_71' name='page_71'></a>71</span> +and duck; white shirts, starched or limp, and blue ones; +shoes with the creeper-spikes filed down, and long boots +to the knees. There were women present also, and they +wore anything from light print, put together for the occasion, +to treasured garments made in Montreal or Toronto +perhaps a dozen years before, but for all that the +assembly was good to look upon. There was steadfast +courage in the bronzed faces, and most of those who sat +about the long tables had kindly eyes. The stamp of a +clean life of effort was upon them, and there was a certain +lithe gracefulness in the unconscious poses of the +straight-limbed men. There was no sign of limp slovenliness +about them. Even in their relaxation they were +intent and alert, and, as she watched them, Laura realized +something of their restless activity and daring optimism. +They believe in anything that is good enough in +that country, and are in consequence cheerfully willing +to attempt anything, even if to other men it would appear +altogether visionary and impossible, and simple +faith goes a long way when supplemented by patient +labour. Laura suddenly became conscious that the manager +of the pulp-mill, a little wiry man, in white shirt +and store clothes, was speaking at the head of the table.</p> +<p>“In one way, it’s not a very big thing we have done, +boys,” he said; and Laura was quick to notice the significance +of the fact, which was also characteristic of the +country, that he counted himself as one of them. +“We’ve chopped a hole in the primeval forest, held +back the river, and set up our mill. That’s about all on +the face of it, but there’s rather more behind. It’s another +round with Nature, and we’ve got her down again. +It’s a thing you have to do west of the Rockies, or she’ll +crush the life out of you. There are folks in the Eastern +cities who call her beneficent; but they don’t quite +understand what was laid on man in Eden long ago. +Here he’s up against flood and frost and snow. Well, I +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_72' name='page_72'></a>72</span> +guess we’ve done about all we can, and now that I’ve paid +my respects to the chopper and carpenter-gang, there’s another +man I want to mention. He took hold of the contract +to put us up our dam, and kept hold through the +blamedest kind of luck. There’s hard grit in him and +the boys he led, and the river couldn’t wash it out of +them. Well, when the big turbines are humming and +the mill’s grinding out money for all of you, I guess +you’re going to remember the boys who built the dam.”</p> +<p>There was a shout which shook the wooden building, +and Laura sat very still when Nasmyth stood up. There +was no doubt that he was a favourite with everybody +there, and she knew that she had nerved him to the +fight. He did not appear altogether at ease, and she +waited with a curious expectancy for what he had to say. +It was very little, but she appreciated the tact which +made him use the speech his audience was accustomed to.</p> +<p>“I had a good crowd,” he said. “With the boys I +had behind me I couldn’t back down.” Then his voice +shook a little. “Still, I was mighty near it once or +twice. It was the boys’ determination to hold on––and +another thing––that put new grit in me.”</p> +<p>Without being conscious of what he was doing, he +swept his glance down the long table until it rested on +Laura Waynefleet’s face. She felt the blood creep into +her cheeks, for she knew what he meant, but she looked +at him steadily, and her eyes were shining. Then he +spread his hands out.</p> +<p>“I felt I daren’t shame boys of that kind,” he said, +and hastily sat down.</p> +<p>His observations were certainly somewhat crude, but +the little quiver in his voice got hold of those who heard +him, and once more the big building rang with cheering. +As the sound of hearty acclamation died away there was +a great clatter of thrust-back benches through which the +tuning of a fiddle broke. Then out of the tentative +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_73' name='page_73'></a>73</span> +twang of strings rose, clear and silvery, the lament of +Flora Macdonald, thrilling with melancholy, and there +were men and women there whose hearts went back to +the other wild and misty land of rock and pine and frothing +river which they had left far away across the sea. +It may be that the musician desired a contrast, or that +he was merely feeling for command of the instrument, +for the plaintive melody that ran from shift to shift into +a thin elfin wailing far up the sobbing strings broke off +suddenly, and was followed by the crisp jar of crashing +chords. Then “The Flowers of Edinburgh” rang out +with Caledonian verve in it and a mad seductive swing, +and the guests streamed out to the middle of the floor. +That they had just eaten an excellent supper was a matter +of no account with them.</p> +<p>Nasmyth, in the meanwhile, elbowed his way through +the crowd of dancers until he stood at Laura’s side, and +as he looked at her, there was a trace of embarrassment +in his manner. She wore his lace, but until that moment +her attire had never suggested the station to which she +had been born. Now she seemed to have stepped, fresh +and immaculate, untouched by toil, out of the world to +which he had once belonged. She was, for that night +at least, no longer an impoverished rancher’s daughter, +but a lady of station. With a twinkle in his eyes, he +made her a little formal inclination, and she, knowing +what he was thinking, answered with an old-world +curtsey, after which a grinning ox-teamster of habitant +extraction turned and clapped Nasmyth’s shoulder approvingly.</p> +<p>“V’la la belle chose!” he said. “Mamselle Laura +is altogether ravissante. Me, I dance with no one else +if she look at me like dat.”</p> +<p>Then Nasmyth and Laura laughed, and glided into +the dance, though, in the case of most of their companions, +“plunged” would have been the better word for +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_74' name='page_74'></a>74</span> +it. English reserve is not esteemed in that land, and +the axemen danced with the mingled verve of grey Caledonia +and light-hearted France, while a little man with +fiery hair from the misty Western Isles shrieked encouragement +at them, and maddened them with his fiddle. +Even Nasmyth and Laura gave themselves up to +the thrill of it, but as they swung together through the +clashing of the measure, which some of their companions +did not know very well, confused recollections +swept through their minds, and they recalled dances in +far different surroundings. Now and then they even fell +back into old tricks of speech, and then, remembering, +broke off with a ringing laughter. They were young +still, and the buoyancy of the country they had adopted +was in both of them.</p> +<p>The dance ended too soon, and, when the music broke +off with a crash of clanging chords, Nasmyth led his +partner out of the press into a little log-walled room +where the half-built dynamos stood. It was lighted, but +a sharp cool air and the fret of the river came in through +a black opening in one wall. Laura sat upon a large +deal case, and Nasmyth, looking down upon her, leaned +against a dynamo. He smiled as he recognized that she +grasped the significance of the throbbing roar of water.</p> +<p>“It was very pleasant while it lasted, but––and it’s +a pity––the music has stopped,” he said. “What we +are now listening to is the turmoil of a Canadian river.”</p> +<p>Laura laughed, though there was a wistfulness in her +eyes. “Oh, I understand, but couldn’t you have let me +forget it just for to-night?” she said. “I suppose that +privilege was permitted to Cinderella.”</p> +<p>The man felt curiously sorry for her as he remembered +how hard her life was at the lonely ranch, but he knew +she would not be pleased if he expressed his thoughts.</p> +<p>“Well,” he observed reflectively, “a thing often looks +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_75' name='page_75'></a>75</span> +most attractive when it’s forbidden you, or a long way off, +and, you see, there are always compensations. In fact, +I’m beginning to come across quite a few of them.”</p> +<p>He broke off for a moment, and Laura, who noticed +that he looked at her, fancied she understood in what +direction his thoughts were drifting; but he went on +again with a laugh.</p> +<p>“After all,” he said, “there are exiles who realize +that they are in various ways better off than in all probability +they would have been had they stayed in the land +they were driven out of.”</p> +<p>“Ah,” answered Laura, “would you go back if you +were given the opportunity?”</p> +<p>“No,” Nasmyth asserted slowly, “I don’t think I +should do that––now.”</p> +<p>Again she understood him, the more clearly because +she saw by the slight wrinkling of his forehead, during +the significant pause, that he had grappled with the +question. She did not think he was altogether in love +with her, but she knew, at least, that he did not wish to +go away while she was left behind in Canada. It seemed +desirable to change the subject, and she touched the lace.</p> +<p>“I have to thank you for this,” she said. “It has +given me pleasure.” Then––and the words were wholly +unpremeditated––she added: “I wanted to look well––just +for once––to-night.”</p> +<p>She was sorry, a moment later, when she saw the quick +change in the man’s expression, for she remembered that +they had always seemed to understand what the other +meant. It was clear that the qualification just for once +had not misled him, but, after all, it seemed to her that +he must presently realize that the admission was not +one a reticent woman really in love with him would +have made.</p> +<p>“Oh,” he said, “you are always beautiful.” Then his +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_76' name='page_76'></a>76</span> +manner became deprecatory. “I didn’t think you’d +mind. In one way what I owe you makes me a privileged +person. I felt that I could venture–––”</p> +<p>This, too, was clear to her, and though she considered +his attitude the correct one, it jarred a little upon her. +She was content that they should be merely comrades, +or, at least, that was what she had endeavoured to convince +herself, but, after all, there was no reason why he +should emphasize the fact.</p> +<p>“Yes,” she replied quickly, “I think I understand.” +Then once more she changed the subject. “I want to +compliment you on building the dam.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth laughed, but there was a light in his eyes. +“I should never have built it, if it hadn’t been for you. +Still”––and he made her a reverent bow––“I owe you +a good deal more than that.”</p> +<p>Laura made no response to this. She had thrilled at +his achievement, when she had heard the manager’s +speech, and it became still plainer that there was a certain +hazard in dwelling upon his success. She could also +be practical.</p> +<p>“In one way,” she said, “I suppose the result was not +quite so satisfactory?”</p> +<p>“It certainly wasn’t. Of course, the work is not +quite completed yet, but after settling up everything, the +interim payment left me with about fifteen dollars in +hand.”</p> +<p>Laura was not astonished at this, but she was more +than a little perplexed, for she fancied that the lace she +was wearing must have cost a good deal more than fifteen +dollars. Still, she had no wish to make it evident that +he had been extravagant; and, while she considered the +matter, a man appeared in the doorway.</p> +<p>“I guess you two have got to come right out,” he +said. “What d’you figure you were asked here for?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth held his arm out, but when Laura would +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_77' name='page_77'></a>77</span> +have laid her hand upon it, the man broke in with a +grin.</p> +<p>“No, sir,” he said severely, “Miss Waynefleet’s going +right round. Now you’re coming along with me, and +we’ll show them how to waltz.”</p> +<p>Laura smiled good-humouredly, and he swept her into +the dance, while Nasmyth was seized upon by a girl, +who drove him through it much as she did her brother’s +steers in the Bush.</p> +<p>“A bump or two don’t count for much. What you +want to do is to hump yourself and make things hum,” +said Nasmyth’s partner, when another couple jostled +them.</p> +<p>Nasmyth expressed his concurrence in a gasp, and +contrived to save her from another crash, but when the +dance was over, he felt limp, and was conscious that his +partner was by no means satisfied with him.</p> +<p>“I’m sorry,” he said. “Still, I really think I did +what I could.”</p> +<p>The girl regarded him half compassionately. “Well,” +she said, “it wasn’t very much, but I guess you played +yourself out building that blamed dam.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_78' name='page_78'></a>78</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_VIII_BY_COMBAT' id='CHAPTER_VIII_BY_COMBAT'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> +<h3>BY COMBAT</h3> +</div> +<p>Nasmyth’s partner condescended, as she said, to +give him another show, but he escaped from that +dance with only a few abrasions, and, though he failed +to obtain another with Laura, he contrived to enjoy +himself. All his Bush friends were not primitive. Some +of them had once played their parts in much more brilliant +functions. They had cultivated tastes, and he had +learned to recognize the strong points of those who had +not. After all, kindly hearts count for much, and it +was not unnatural that, like other exiles who have +plodded up and down that rugged land, he should think +highly of the hard-handed men and patient women who +willingly offer a night’s shelter and a share of their dried +apples, salt pork, and grindstone bread to the penniless +wanderer.</p> +<p>What was more to the purpose, a number of the guests +at the dance had swung the axe by his side, and fought +the river with him when the valley was filled with the +roar of water.</p> +<p>They had done their work gallantly, when it seemed +out of the question that they would ever receive the +money he had promised them, from sheer pride in their +manhood, and to keep their word, and now they danced +as determinedly.</p> +<p>There are no cramping conventions and very few +shams––and the shams in those forests, it must be confessed, +are as a rule imported ones. In fact, there was +that evening, among all those in the pulp-mill, only one +man who seemed to disassociate himself from the general +good-will. That man was Waynefleet. He wore his +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_79' name='page_79'></a>79</span> +old velvet jacket as a cloak of superciliousness––or, at +least, that was how it seemed to the Bush-ranchers, who +recognized and resented an effete pride in the squeak of +his very ancient lacquered shoes. It is possible that he +did not mean to make himself in any way offensive, and +merely desired to indicate that he was graciously willing +to patronize their bucolic festivities. There would +have been something almost pathetic in his carefully preserved +dignity had it not been so obtrusively out of +place; and when they stood watching him for a moment +or two, Gordon expressed Nasmyth’s thoughts.</p> +<p>“How a man of that kind ever came to be Laura +Waynefleet’s father is more than I can figure out!” he +said. “It’s a question that worries me every time I +look at him. Guess she owes everything to her mother; +and Mrs. Waynefleet must have been a mighty patient +woman.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth smiled, but Gordon went on reflectively: +“You folks show your sense when you dump your freaks +into this country,” he said. “It never seems to strike +you that it’s a little rough on us. What’s the matter +with men like Waynefleet is that you can’t teach them +sense. I’d have told him what I thought of him once +or twice when I saw the girl doing his work up at the +ranch if I’d figured it would have made any impression.”</p> +<p>“I expect it would have been useless,” remarked +Nasmyth. “After all, I’m not sure that it’s exactly +your business.”</p> +<p>Gordon watched Laura Waynefleet as she swung +through a waltz on the arm of a sinewy rancher, and +his eyes softened curiously.</p> +<p>“Only on the girl’s account,” he admitted. “I’m +sorry for her. Stills the blamed old image isn’t actively +unkind.”</p> +<p>Then he saw the sudden contraction of Nasmyth’s +face, and turned toward him. “Now,” he said, “I +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_80' name='page_80'></a>80</span> +want you to understand this thing. If it would be any +comfort to her, I’d let Miss Waynefleet wipe her boots +on me, and in one way that’s about all I’m fit for. I +know enough to realize that she’d never waste a moment +thinking of a man like me, even if I hadn’t in another +way done for myself already.”</p> +<p>“Still,” Nasmyth replied quietly, “some women can +forgive a good deal.”</p> +<p>Gordon’s face hardened, and he seemed to straighten +himself. “Well, there are men––any way, in this country––who +have too much grit in them to go crawling, +broken, to any woman’s feet, and to expect her to pick +them up and mend them. Now you have heard me, and +I guess you understand.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth merely made a little gesture of sympathy. +After all, he had the average Englishman’s reticence, and +the free speech of that country still jarred upon him now +and then. He knew what Gordon had meant to impress +on him, and he was touched by generosity of the +motive, but for all that he felt relieved when Gordon +abruptly moved away. He danced another dance, and +then sauntered towards the dynamo room, where the +manager had set up a keg or two of heady Ontario cider. +Several men were refreshing themselves there, but they +did not see him when he approached the door.</p> +<p>“The only thing that’s out of tone about this show +is Waynefleet,” said one of them who had once worked +for the rancher. “What do we want that blamed old +dead-beat round here for, when he can’t speak to anyone +but the Crown land-agent and the mill manager?”</p> +<p>One of the others laughed, but Nasmyth saw venomous +hatred in the big axeman’s face. It was, however, +not his business, and Waynefleet was a man for whom +he had no great liking. He was about to turn away +when the chopper went on again.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_81' name='page_81'></a>81</span></div> +<p>“Waynefleet’s a blamed old thief, as everybody +knows,” he said. “Him being what he is, I guess you +couldn’t blame his daughter–––”</p> +<p>Nasmyth, whom they had not noticed yet, could not +quite hear what followed; but when somebody flung a +sharp, incredulous question at the speaker, he stood fast +in the doorway, with one hand clenched.</p> +<p>“Well,” said the man, with a suggestive grin, “what +I mean’s quite plain. Is there any other girl, round this +settlement who’d make up to that dam-builder as she’s +doing, and slip quietly into his shanty alone?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth never learned what grievance against Waynefleet +or his daughter had prompted this virulence, nor +did it appear to matter. There was just sufficient foundation +for the man’s insinuation to render it perilous +if it was once permitted to pass unchallenged, and +Nasmyth realized that any attempt to handle the affair +delicately was not likely to be successful. He was afterwards +greatly astonished that he could think clearly and +impose a certain command upon himself; but he understood +exactly what it was most advisable for him to do, +and he set about it with a curious cold quietness which +served his purpose well.</p> +<p>There was a gasp of astonishment from one of the +group as he stepped forward into the light and looked +with steady eyes at the man who had spoken.</p> +<p>“Jake,” he said, “you are a d––– liar.”</p> +<p>It was what the others had expected, and they rose and +stood back a little from the pair, watching expectantly; +for they recognized that the affair was serious, and, +though Nasmyth had their sympathy, an impartial attitude +was the correct one now. Jake was tall and lean +and muscular; but perhaps the dam-builder’s quietness +disconcerted him, or his bitterness had only extended to +the rancher.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_82' name='page_82'></a>82</span></div> +<p>“Now,” Jake growled, “you light out of this. I +don’t know that I’ve anything against––you.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth had his back to the door, and he did not +see the grizzled Mattawa, who was supposed to be one +of the strongest choppers about the settlement, standing +a little behind him, and watching him and Jake +attentively. Still, one of the others did, and made a +sign to Mattawa that any support he might feel disposed +to offer his employer would not be tolerated in the meanwhile. +Nasmyth, however, realized that there was only +one course open to him, and he drew back one hand as +he met the uneasy eyes of the man in front of him.</p> +<p>“You are going to back down on what you said?” +he asked, with incisive quietness.</p> +<p>“Not a d––– word,” the other man assured him.</p> +<p>“Then,” said Nasmyth, “you must take the consequences.”</p> +<p>He swung forward on his left foot, and there was a +thud as his scarred knuckles landed heavily in the middle +of the detractor’s face. He struck with an unexpected +swiftness and all the force that was in him, for he +had learned that the rules of the trial by combat are by +no means so hard and fast in British Columbia as they +are in England. As a matter of fact, it is not very frequently +resorted to there; but when men do fight, their +one object is to disable their opponents as soon as possible +and by any means available.</p> +<p>Jake reeled backwards a pace or two, and the spectators +said afterwards there was no reason why Nasmyth +should have permitted him to recover himself, as he did. +Two axes which the carpenters had been using stood +against the wall, and Jake caught up the nearest of them. +He swung the gleaming blade high, while the blood +trickled from his cut lips and the swollen veins rose on +his forehead. This, however, was going further than +the others considered admissible, and there was a protesting +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_83' name='page_83'></a>83</span> +shout, while one sturdy fellow cautiously slid +along the wall to get in behind the man who had the axe.</p> +<p>Still, for a second or two, which might have proved +fatal to him, Nasmyth had only his own resources to depend +upon, and he did the one thing that was possible. +The Canadian axe-haft is long, and he sprang straight +in at the man. As he did so, the big blade came down, +and flashed by a hand’s breadth behind his shoulders. +He felt a burning pain on the outside of his thigh, but +that did not seem to matter, and he was clutching at his +opponent’s throat when he was bodily flung aside. Then, +as he fell against the log wall, he had a momentary +glimpse of Jake bent backwards in Mattawa’s arms. +There was a brief floundering scuffle as the two men +reeled towards the black opening in the wall, and after +that a splash in the darkness outside, and Mattawa +stepped back into the room alone.</p> +<p>“The d––– hog is in the flume,” he said.</p> +<p>That did not appear to trouble any of the others. The +sluice was not deep, and, though it was certainly running +hard, it was scarcely likely that a stalwart Bushman +would suffer greatly from being washed along it.</p> +<p>“Guess it will cool him off,” said one of them. “If +it doesn’t, and he comes back to make a fuss, we’ll heave +him in again.”</p> +<p>Then they turned and looked at Nasmyth, who sat +down somewhat limply on a cider keg. The blood, +which was running down his leg, made a little pool at +his feet. Mattawa, who crossed over to him, asked for +a knife, and when a man produced one, he slit Nasmyth’s +trousers up to the hip. Then he nodded.</p> +<p>“Boys,” he said, “one of you will slip out kind of +quiet and bring Mr. Gordon along. Two more of you +will stand in the door there and not let anybody in.”</p> +<p>They obeyed him, and Mattawa looked down at +Nasmyth again.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_84' name='page_84'></a>84</span></div> +<p>“I guess the thing’s not serious,” he commented.</p> +<p>“Well,” said Nasmyth ruefully, “in one way, I think +it is. You see, store clothes are dear, and this is the +only pair of trousers I’ve got.”</p> +<p>There was a little laugh from the others, and he +knew he had done wisely, when they clumsily expressed +their satisfaction at his escape. He had, at least, discredited +Jake, and it was evident that if the man made +any more assertions of a similar nature, which was very +unlikely, no one would listen to them.</p> +<p>In the meanwhile, nobody else seemed to be aware +that anything unusual was going on. All had happened +in a minute or two, and the clanging of the fiddle and +the patter of the dancers’ feet had drowned any sound +that rose from the dynamo-room. Nasmyth had not +long to wait before Gordon stepped in and quietly set +about his surgical work, after someone had dipped up +a little water from the sluice.</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Gordon, “it’s quite a nice clean slice, +and I guess it’s not going to trouble you much, though +you won’t walk very far for a week or two. As soon as +we can get you to the dam, I’ll put a proper dressing on.” +Then he looked up sharply. “In the meanwhile, I +don’t quite see how you cut yourself like that.”</p> +<p>“As a matter of fact, I didn’t,” said Nasmyth, with +evident reluctance. “I suppose you will have to be +told.” He looked round at the others. “Boys, I particularly +don’t want this thing to go any further.”</p> +<p>He related what had happened, and one of the men stood +up. “I wouldn’t worry over that,” he replied. “We’re +not going to talk, and if Jake does, one of us will pound +a little sense into him. Now I’ll slip out and get Highton’s +team.”</p> +<p>After that they gave Nasmyth some cider, and a few +minutes later he limped out through the opening in the +wall and across the plank they laid above the sluice to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_85' name='page_85'></a>85</span> +the waiting waggon. It was not far to the dam, and before +very long Gordon was back again at the mill. It +naturally happened, though he was anxious to avoid +her, that Laura Waynefleet was the first person who accosted +him.</p> +<p>“Have you seen Mr. Nasmyth?” she asked.</p> +<p>“Oh, yes,” said Gordon. “I saw him a little while +ago. You are wanting him?”</p> +<p>Laura laughed. “I believed I promised him another +dance. It’s a little curious he hasn’t come for it.”</p> +<p>“In one way it’s deplorably bad taste.”</p> +<p>The girl was quick to notice that his gaze was not +quite frank, and he winced when for a moment she +laid her hand upon his arm, for he saw the veiled anxiety +in her eyes.</p> +<p>“Something has been going on,” she said. “You +don’t want to tell me where Mr. Nasmyth is.”</p> +<p>“He has just gone back to the dam. He got hurt––a +trifling cut––nothing more than that. Still, I insisted +on tying it up.”</p> +<p>“Ah,” cried Laura sharply, “you evidently don’t wish +me to know how he got it!”</p> +<p>“It is just what I don’t mean to do. Any way, it’s +not worth while troubling about. Nasmyth’s injury +isn’t in the least serious.”</p> +<p>“It doesn’t seem to strike you that I could ask him +myself.”</p> +<p>Gordon would have liked to warn her to keep away +from the dam, but he did not see how it could be done +unless he offered some reason, and that was a thing he +shrank from.</p> +<p>“Oh, yes,” he said, “you certainly could.” Then he +glanced down at her hands. “Those are unusually +pretty gloves you have on.”</p> +<p>His answer was, as it happened, almost as injudicious +as he could have rendered it, since it left the girl determined +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_86' name='page_86'></a>86</span> +to sift the matter thoroughly. She, however, only +smiled just then.</p> +<p>“I think there isn’t a nicer pair of gloves in Canada +than these,” she said.</p> +<p>Gordon took himself away, wondering what she could +have meant by that; and Laura waited until next day, +when, although there was, as usual, a good deal to be +done about the ranch, she went down to find out what +was the matter with Nasmyth.</p> +<p>The injured man was sitting in his shanty, with his +foot upon a chair, but he rose when she came in, and +stood leaning rather hard upon the table.</p> +<p>“It is very kind of you to come,” he said, taking her +hand. He made shift to limp to the door, whence he +called for Mattawa.</p> +<p>“Bring those two chairs out, Tom, and put them in +the sun,” he said.</p> +<p>The old axeman shook his head severely. “You sit +right down again. What in the name of wonder are +you on your legs for, any way?” he asked. Then he saw +Laura, and made a little gesture of resignation. “Well, +I guess it will have to be done.”</p> +<p>The sudden change in his attitude was naturally not +lost upon the girl, but she kept her astonishment to herself, +and waited until Mattawa had made Nasmyth as +comfortable as possible. Then she turned to him.</p> +<p>“I am very sorry you are hurt,” she said. “I understand +it was an axe cut. How did it happen?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth appeared to reflect. “Well,” he answered, +“I suppose I was a little careless––in fact, I must have +been. You see, some of the building gang had left their +axes in the dynamo-room.”</p> +<p>“That,” said Laura dryly, “certainly accounts for +the axe being there. I’m not sure it goes very much +further.”</p> +<p>“It really wasn’t very much of a cut.” Nasmyth’s +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_87' name='page_87'></a>87</span> +desire to escape from the topic was a trifle too plain, as +he added, “Isn’t it nice out here?”</p> +<p>It occurred to Laura that it was uncomfortably cold, +for there was a nip of frost in the air, though the sun +hung coppery red above the sombre pines.</p> +<p>“I almost fancied you were not overjoyed to see me,” +she remarked.</p> +<p>Nasmyth appeared momentarily embarrassed, but his +expression suddenly changed, and Laura felt a faint thrill +when he laid his hand upon her arm.</p> +<p>“That,” he said, “is a fancy you must never entertain +again.”</p> +<p>In one respect Laura was fully satisfied, and, though +there was still a great deal upon which she meant to be +enlightened, she talked about other matters for almost +half an hour, and then rose with a little shiver.</p> +<p>“I must get back to the settlement, where I have left +the team,” she said, and glanced down at him for a +moment with solicitude in her eyes. “You will be very +careful.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth let her go, but he did not know that she +signed to Mattawa, who was then busy hewing out a +big redwood log. The axeman strolled after her into +the Bush, and then stopped to look hard at her as he +uttered an inquiring, “Well?”</p> +<p>“Tom,” said the girl, “can’t you understand that it +would be very much wiser if somebody told me exactly +how Mr. Nasmyth got hurt?”</p> +<p>The axeman nodded. “Yes,” he admitted, with a +wink, “that’s just how it strikes me, and I’m going to. +The boss has no more arms and legs than he’s a use for +anyway.”</p> +<p>Laura gazed at him in bewilderment, but the man’s +expression was perfectly grave. “Now,” he added, “I +guess one can talk straight sense to you, and the fact is +I can’t have you coming round here again. Just listen +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_88' name='page_88'></a>88</span> +about two minutes, and I’ll try to make the thing clear +to you.”</p> +<p>He did so with a certain graphic force that she had +not expected from him, and the colour crept into her +cheeks. Then, to Mattawa’s astonishment, she smiled.</p> +<p>“Thank you,” she said simply. “But the other man?”</p> +<p>“Well,” replied Mattawa, “if he goes round talking, +somebody will ’most pound the life out of him.”</p> +<p>Then he swung round abruptly, for he was shrewd, +and had his primitive notions of delicacy; and Laura +went on through the stillness of the Bush, with a curious +softness in her eyes. Mattawa had been terse, and, in +some respects, his observations had not been tactful, but +nobody could have impressed her more in Nasmyth’s +favour. Indeed, at the moment, she scarcely remembered +how the aspersions Jake had made might affect +herself. As it happened, she met Gordon near the settlement, +and he stopped a moment. He had come upon +her suddenly, and had looked at her with a suggestive +steadiness, but she smiled.</p> +<p>“Yes,” she said, “I have been to the dam. After +the way in which you made it evident that you didn’t +want me to go there, it was, perhaps, no more than +you could have expected.”</p> +<p>“Ah!” rejoined Gordon, with a look of anxiety, +“you probably got hold of Mattawa. Well, after all, +I guess he has done the wise thing.” Then after a pause +he observed, “There is very little the matter with your +courage.”</p> +<p>“I fancy,” observed Laura half wistfully, “that is, in +several respects, fortunate.”</p> +<p>Then she went on again, and though Gordon felt exceedingly +compassionate, he frowned and closed one +hand.</p> +<p>“It’s a sure thing I’ll have to tell Waynefleet what +kind of a man he is,” he said.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_89' name='page_89'></a>89</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_IX_GORDON_SPEAKS_HIS_MIND' id='CHAPTER_IX_GORDON_SPEAKS_HIS_MIND'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> +<h3>GORDON SPEAKS HIS MIND</h3> +</div> +<p>It was a nipping morning, and the clearing outside +the ranch was flecked with patches of frozen snow, +when Waynefleet sat shivering in a hide chair beside the +stove. The broken viands upon the table in front of +him suggested that he had just made a tolerable breakfast, +but his pose was expressive of limp resignation, and +one could have fancied from the look in his thin face that +he was feeling very sorry for himself. Self-pity, in fact, +was rather a habit of his, and, perhaps, because of it, he +had usually very little pity to spare for anybody else. He +looked up when, flushed and gasping, his daughter came +in with two heavy pails of water. She shivered visibly.</p> +<p>“It would be a favour if you would shut that door +as soon as you can,” said Waynefleet. “As I fancy I have +mentioned, this cold goes right through me. It occurred +to me that you might have come in a little earlier to see +if I was getting my breakfast properly.”</p> +<p>Laura, who glanced at the table, thought that he had +acquitted himself reasonably well, but she refrained +from pointing out the fact, and, after shutting the door, +crossed the room to her store-cupboard, and took out a +can of fruit which she had set aside for another purpose. +Waynefleet watched her open it and made a little sign of +impatience.</p> +<p>“You are very clumsy this morning,” he said.</p> +<p>The girl’s hands were wet and stiff with cold, but she +quietly laid another plate upon the table before she answered +him.</p> +<p>“Charly is busy in the slashing, and I don’t want to +take him away, but there are those logs in the wet patch +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_90' name='page_90'></a>90</span> +that ought to be hauled out now the ground is hard,” +she said. “I suppose you don’t feel equal to doing it +to-day?”</p> +<p>“No,” said Waynefleet with querulous incisiveness, +“it is quite out of the question. Do I look like a man +who could reasonably be expected to undertake anything +of that kind just now?”</p> +<p>It occurred to Laura that he did not look as if there +was very much the matter with him, and she stood still +a minute considering. As Gordon had said, it was she +who managed the ranch, and she recognized that it was +desirable that the trees in question should be dragged out +of the soft ground while the frost lasted. Still, there +was the baking and washing, and it would be late at +night before she could accomplish half she wished to +do, if she undertook the task in question. While she +thought over it her father spoke again.</p> +<p>“I wish you would sit down,” he said. “I feel I +must have quietness, and your restless habits jar upon me +horribly.”</p> +<p>That decided her, and slipping into her own room, she +put on an old blanket coat, and went out quietly. She +walked through the orchard to the little log stable where +the working oxen stood, and, after patting the patient +beasts, shackled a heavy chain to the yoke she laid upon +their brawny necks. Then, picking up a handspike, she +led them out, and for an hour walked beside them, +tapping them with a long pointed stick, while they +dragged the big logs out of the swamp. Now and then +it taxed all her strength to lift the thinner end of a +log on the chain-sling with a handspike, but she contrived +to do it until at length one heavier than the +others proved too much for her. She could hear the +ringing of the hired man’s axe across the clearing, but +there was a great deal for him to do, and, taking up the +handspike again, she strained at it.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_91' name='page_91'></a>91</span></div> +<p>She heard footsteps behind her, and she straightened +herself suddenly. She turned and saw Gordon watching +her with a curious smile. Tall and straight and +supple, with a ruddy, half-guilty glow on her face, she +stood near the middle of the little gap in the Bush, the +big dappled oxen close at her side. The wintry sunlight, +which struck upon her, tinted the old blanket dress +a shining ochre, and the loose tress of red-gold hair, which +had escaped from beneath her little fur cap, struck a +dominant tone of glowing colour among the pale reds +and russets of the fir-trunks and withered fern.</p> +<p>Gordon shook his head reproachfully. “Sit down a +minute or two, and I’ll heave that log on to the sling,” +he said. “This is not the kind of thing you ought to be +doing.”</p> +<p>Laura, who was glad of the excuse, sat down on one +of the logs, while the man leaned against a fir and +gravely regarded her.</p> +<p>“The work must be done by somebody, and my +father is apparently not very well again,” she explained. +“Charly has his hands full in the slashing. We must +get it cleaned up, if it is to be ploughed this spring.”</p> +<p>“Nasmyth contrived to look after all these things. +Why didn’t you keep him? The man didn’t want to go +away.”</p> +<p>The colour deepened in Laura’s face, and Gordon, +who saw it, made a sign of comprehension. “Well,” he +added, “I suppose that wasn’t a thing one could expect +you to tell me, though I don’t quite see why you +shouldn’t think of yourself now and then. You know +it wasn’t on your own account you sent him away.”</p> +<p>“How does this concern you?” she asked.</p> +<p>Gordon flung one hand out. “Ah,” he said, “how +does it concern me?” Then he seemed to lay a restraint +upon himself. “Well, it does in one sense, anyway. +After all, I am a doctor, and a friend of yours, and I’m +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_92' name='page_92'></a>92</span> +going to warn you against attempting things women +weren’t meant to do. If that doesn’t prove efficacious, +I’ll say a word or two to Nasmyth, and you’ll have him +back here again. It’s a sure thing your father would be +glad to get him.”</p> +<p>“If you do, I shall never forgive you,” warned Laura, +with a flash in her eyes.</p> +<p>She was sorry she had spoken so plainly when she +saw that Gordon winced. She had guessed more or less +correctly what the man felt for her, and she had no wish +to pain him. Except for that, however, the admission +she had made did not greatly matter, since she fancied +that he was quite aware why she had sent Nasmyth +away. Gordon changed the subject abruptly.</p> +<p>“There are very few of those blanket dresses this side +of the Rockies,” he said. “You probably got it back +East.”</p> +<p>The girl’s eyes had a wistful look as she answered: +“We spent our first winter in Montreal, and we had +some friends who were very kind to us. I like to look +back upon those first few months in Canada.”</p> +<p>Gordon nodded. “Oh, yes,” he replied. “I know––sleigh-rides, +snowshoe meets, skating-rinks, toboggan-slides. +Quite as lively as a London season, and considerably +more invigorating; I guess you’ve been through +that, too. In one way it’s a pity you didn’t stay in Montreal.”</p> +<p>He saw her sudden embarrassment, and fancied that +she could have stayed there, if she had wished to do so, +but he felt that he must speak frankly, and he shook his +head severely.</p> +<p>“Do you never think of your own advantage at all?” +he inquired. “Have you none of the ambitions that most +women seem to have?”</p> +<p>“Aren’t you forgetting?” Laura asked with sudden +quietness. “My father found it would not be advisable +for him to settle in Montreal––for the same reason that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_93' name='page_93'></a>93</span> +afterwards led us to leave Victoria––and we went West. +Perhaps he could have faced the trouble and lived it +down, but I could not leave him alone.”</p> +<p>Gordon sat silent a moment or two. He knew, though +she very rarely mentioned it, how heavy was the burden +that had been laid upon her, and he was divided between +a great pity for her and anger against her father. Then +he rose slowly to his feet.</p> +<p>“Miss Waynefleet,” he said, “if I have said anything +that hurt you, I’m sorry, but there are times when I +must talk. I feel I have to. In the meanwhile I’ll +heave those logs up on a skid so that you can slip the +chain round them.”</p> +<p>For the next half-hour he exerted himself savagely, +and when at last he dropped the handspike, his face was +damp with perspiration. He smiled grimly when Laura, +who had hauled one or two of the logs away, came back +tapping the plodding oxen.</p> +<p>“Now,” he said, “I’m going in to see your father. +Custer happened to tell me he was feeling low again, +and it’s going to afford me a good deal of pleasure to +prescribe for him.”</p> +<p>He swung off his wide hat, and, when he turned away, +Laura wondered with a few misgivings what had brought +the little snap into his eyes. Three or four minutes +later he entered the house, where Waynefleet lay beside +the stove with a cigar in his hand.</p> +<p>“I ran across Custer at the settlement, and I came +along to see how you were keeping,” said Gordon.</p> +<p>Waynefleet held out a cigar-box. “Make yourself +comfortable,” he answered hospitably. “We’ll have dinner +a little earlier than usual.”</p> +<p>The sight of the label on the box came near rousing +Gordon to an outbreak of indignation. “I’m not going +to stay,” he declared. “It seems to me Miss Waynefleet +has about enough to do already.”</p> +<p>He saw Waynefleet raise his eyebrows, and he added: +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_94' name='page_94'></a>94</span> +“I guess it’s not worth while troubling to point out +that it’s not my affair. Now, if you’ll get ahead with +your symptoms.”</p> +<p>Waynefleet looked hard at him for a moment. The +older man was not accustomed to being addressed in that +brusque fashion, and it jarred upon him, but, as a matter +of fact, he was not feeling well, and, as he not infrequently +pointed out, he had discovered that one had to +put up with many unpleasant things in that barbarous +country. He described his symptoms feelingly, and was +rather indignant when Gordon expressed neither astonishment +nor sympathy.</p> +<p>“That’s all right,” said Gordon. “The thing’s quite +plain––especially the general lassitude you complain of. +The trouble is that if you don’t make an effort it’s +going to become chronic.”</p> +<p>Again Waynefleet looked at him in astonishment, for +Gordon’s tone was very suggestive.</p> +<p>“Yes,” added the medical adviser, “it’s a complaint a +good many men, who haven’t been raised to work, are +afflicted with. Well, I’ll mix you up a tonic, and you’ll +drive down for it yourself. The thing won’t be half as +efficacious if you send the hired man. Then you’ll set +to every morning soon as breakfast’s over, and do a +couple of hours’ smart chopping for a week. By that +time you’ll find it easy, and you can go on an hour or +two in the afternoon. Nobody round here will recognize +you, if you keep it up for the next three months.”</p> +<p>Waynefleet’s thin face grew red, but Gordon’s imperturbable +demeanour restrained him from betraying his +indignation.</p> +<p>“You don’t understand that I couldn’t swing an axe +for five minutes together,” he objected.</p> +<p>“The trouble,” answered Gordon, “is that you don’t +want to.”</p> +<p>Waynefleet made an attempt to rise, but his companion +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_95' name='page_95'></a>95</span> +laid a hand upon his arm and pressed him down +again.</p> +<p>“You were anxious for my advice, and now I’m going +to prescribe,” Gordon continued. “Two hours’ steady +chopping every day, to be raised by degrees to six. Then +I’d let up on smoking cigars of that kind, and practise +a little more self-denial in one or two other respects. +You could make things easier for Miss Waynefleet with +the money you save.”</p> +<p>He rose with a laugh. “Well, I’m going. All you +have to do is to carry out my suggestions, and you may +still make yourself and your ranch a credit to the district. +In the meanwhile, this place would be considerably +improved by a little ventilation.”</p> +<p>He went out, and left Waynefleet gazing in indignant +astonishment at the door he carefully fixed +open. It seemed to Waynefleet almost incredible that +such words should have been spoken to him, and the +suggestion that at the cost of a painful effort he should endeavour +to make himself a credit to that barbarous neighbourhood +rankled most of all. He had felt, hitherto, that +he had conferred a favour on the community by settling +there. He lay still until his daughter came in and glanced +at him inquiringly.</p> +<p>“You have seen Mr. Gordon?” she queried.</p> +<p>“I have,” answered Waynefleet with fine disdain. +“You will understand that if he comes back here, he +must be kept away from me. The man is utterly devoid +of refinement or consideration.”</p> +<p>In the meanwhile Gordon was riding, circumspectly, +down the rutted trail, and it was an hour later when +he dismounted at the shanty of Nasmyth’s workmen, and +shared a meal with the gang employed on the dam. After +that he sat with Nasmyth, who still limped a little, in +the hut, from which, as the door stood open, they could +see the men stream up into the Bush and out along the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_96' name='page_96'></a>96</span> +dam. The dam now stood high above the water-level, +for the frost had bound fast the feeding snow upon the +peaks above, though the stream roared and frothed +through the two big sluice-gates. By-and-by, the ringing +of axes and the clink of drills broke through the +sound of the rushing waters. Gordon, who stretched +himself out on a deer-hide lounge, smiled at Nasmyth +as he lighted his pipe.</p> +<p>“I’ve been talking a little sense to Waynefleet this +morning. I felt I had to, though I’m afraid it’s not +going to be any use,” he announced.</p> +<p>“Whether you were warranted or not is, of course, +another matter,” said Nasmyth. “Perhaps you were, +if you did it on Miss Waynefleet’s account. Anyway, +I don’t altogether understand why you should be sure +it will have no effect.”</p> +<p>Gordon looked at him with a grin. “Well,” he remarked +oracularly, “it’s easy to acquire an inflated notion +of one’s own importance, though it’s quite often a little +difficult to keep it. Something’s very apt to come along and +prick you, and you collapse flat when it lets the inflation +out. In some cases one never quite gets one’s self-sufficiency +back. The scar the prick made is always there, +but it’s different with Waynefleet. He is made of self-closing +jelly, and when you take the knife out the gap +shuts up again. It’s quite hard to fancy it was ever +there.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth nodded gravely, for there was an elusive +something in his comrade’s tone that roused his sympathy.</p> +<p>“Gordon,” he said, “is it quite impossible for you to +go back East again?”</p> +<p>Gordon leaned back in his chair, and glanced out +across the toiling men upon the dam, at the frothing +river and rugged hillside, with a look of longing in his +eyes.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_97' name='page_97'></a>97</span></div> +<p>“In one way it is, but I want you to understand,” he +replied. “I might begin again in some desolate little +town––but I aimed higher––and was once very nearly +getting there. As it is, if I made my mark, the thing I +did would be remembered against me. We’ll let it go. +As a surgeon of any account I’m done for.”</p> +<p>“Still, it’s a tolerably big country, and folks forget. +You might, at least, go so far, and that would, after +all, give you a good deal––a competence, the right to +marry.”</p> +<p>Gordon laughed, but his voice was harsh.</p> +<p>“This is one of the days on which I must talk. I +feel like that, now and then,” he said. Then he looked +at Nasmyth hard. “Well, I’ve seen the one woman I +could marry, and it’s certain that, if I dare make her +the offer, she would never marry me.”</p> +<p>“Ah,” said Nasmyth, “you seem quite sure of that?”</p> +<p>“Quite,” declared Gordon, and there was, for a moment +or two, an almost uncomfortable silence in the +shanty.</p> +<p>Then he made a little forceful gesture as he turned to +his companion again.</p> +<p>“Well,” he said, “after all, what does it count for? +Is it man’s one and only business to marry somebody? +Of course, we have folks back East, who seem to act +on that belief, and in your country half of them appear +to spend their time and energies philandering.”</p> +<p>“I don’t think it’s half,” said Nasmyth dryly.</p> +<p>“It’s not a point of any importance, and we’ll let it +go. Anyway, it seems perilously easy for a man who +gets the woman he sets his mind upon to sink into a +fireside hog in the civilized world. Now and then, when +things go wrong with folks of that kind, they come out +here, and nobody has any use for them. What can you +do with the man who gets sick the first time he sleeps +in the rain, and can’t do without his dinner? Oh, I +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_98' name='page_98'></a>98</span> +know all about the preservation of the species, but +west of the Great Lakes we’ve no room for any species +that isn’t tough and fit.”</p> +<p>He broke off for a moment. “After all, this is the +single man’s country, and––we––know that it demands +from him the best that he was given, from the grimmest +toil of his body to the keenest effort of his brain. Marriage +is a detail––an incident; we’re here to fight, to +grapple with the wilderness, and to break it in, and that +burden wasn’t laid upon us only for the good of ourselves. +When we’ve flung our trestles over the rivers, +and blown room for the steel track out of the cañon’s +side, the oat-fields and the orchards creep up the valleys, +and the men from the cities set up their mills. Prospector, +track-layer, chopper, follow in sequence here, and +then we’re ready to hold out our hands to the thousands +you’ve no use or food for back yonder. I’m not sure it +matters that the men who do the work don’t often share +the results of it. We bury them beside our bridge trestles +and under tons of shattered rock, and, perhaps, when +their time comes, some of them aren’t sorry to have done +with it. Anyway, they’ve stood up to man’s primeval +task.”</p> +<p>He rose with another half-deprecatory laugh, but his +eyes snapped. “You don’t talk like that in your country––it +would hurt some of you––but if we spread ourselves +now and then, you can look round and see the +things we do.” Then he touched Nasmyth’s shoulder. +“Oh, yes, you understand––for somebody has taught +you––and by-and-by, you’re going to feel the thing getting +hold of you.”</p> +<p>He moved towards the doorway, but turned as he +reached it. “Talking’s cheap, and I have several dozen +blamed big firs to saw up, as well as Waynefleet’s tonic +to mix. He’ll come along for it when that prick I gave +him commences to heal.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_99' name='page_99'></a>99</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_X_THE_CALLING_CAON' id='CHAPTER_X_THE_CALLING_CAON'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> +<h3>THE CALLING CAÑON</h3> +</div> +<p>There were four wet and weary men in the Siwash +canoe that Nasmyth, who crouched astern, had just +shot across the whirling pool with the back feathering +stroke of his paddle which is so difficult to acquire. Tom +from Mattawa, grasping a dripping pole, stood up in +the bow. Gordon and Wheeler, the pulp-mill manager, +knelt in the middle of the boat. Wheeler’s hands were +blistered from gripping the paddle-haft, and his knees +were raw, where he had pressed them against the bottom +of the craft to obtain a purchase. It was several years +since he had undertaken any severe manual labour, +though he was by no means unused to it, and he was +cramped and aching in every limb. He had plied pole +or paddle for eight hours, during which his companions +had painfully propelled the craft a few miles into the +cañon. He gasped with relief when Mattawa ran the +bow of the canoe in upon the shingle, and then rose +and stretched himself wearily. The four men stepped +ashore. Curiously they looked about them, for they +had had little opportunity for observation. Those who +undertake to pole a canoe up the rapids of a river on the +Pacific slope usually find it advisable to confine their +attention strictly to the business in hand.</p> +<p>Immediately in front of them the river roared and +seethed amid giant boulders, which rose out of a tumultuous +rush of foam, but while it was clearly beyond the +power of flesh and blood to drive the canoe up against +the current, a strip of shingle, also strewn with boulders +and broken by ledges of dripping rock, divided the water +from the wall of the cañon. The cañon, a tremendous +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_100' name='page_100'></a>100</span> +slope of rock with its dark crest overhanging them, ran +up high above their heads; but they could see the pines +clinging to the hillside which rose from the edge of the +other wall across the river, so steep that it appeared impossible +to find a foothold upon it.</p> +<p>The four men were down in the bottom of a great rift +in the hills, and, though it would be day above for at +least two hours, the light was faint in the hollow and +dimmed by drifting mist. It was a spot from which +a man new to that wild country might well have shrunk, +and the roar of water rang through it in tremendous, +nerve-taxing pulsations. Nasmyth and his companions, +however, had gone there with no particular purpose––merely +for relaxation––though it had cost them hours +of arduous labour, and the journey had been a more or +less hazardous one. Wheeler, the pulp-mill manager, +was waiting for his machinery, and, Nasmyth had finished +the dam. When they planned the journey for pleasure, +Mattawa and Gordon had gone with them ostensibly +on a shooting trip. There are game laws, which set +forth when and where a man may shoot, and how many +heads he is entitled to, but it must be admitted that the +Bush-rancher seldom concerns himself greatly about them. +When he fancies a change of diet, he goes out and kills +a deer. Still, though all the party had rifles no one +would have cared very much if they had not come across +anything to shoot at.</p> +<p>Now and then a vague unrest comes upon the Bushman, +and he sets off for the wilderness, and stays there +while his provisions hold out. He usually calls it prospecting, +but as a rule he comes back with his garments +rent to tatters, and no record of any mineral claim or +timber rights, but once more contentedly he goes on with +his task. It may be a reawakening of forgotten instincts, +half-conscious lust of adventure, or a mere desire for +change, that impels him to make the journey, but it is +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_101' name='page_101'></a>101</span> +at least an impulse with which most men who toil in +those forests are well acquainted.</p> +<p>Nasmyth and Mattawa pulled the canoe out, and +when they sat down and lighted their pipes, Wheeler +grinned as he drew up his duck trousers and surveyed +his knees, which were raw and bleeding. Then he held +up one of his hands that his comrades might notice the +blisters upon it. He was a little, wiry man with dark +eyes, which had a snap in them.</p> +<p>“Well,” he observed, “we’re here, and I guess any +man with sense enough to prefer whole bones to broken +ones would wonder why we are. It’s most twelve years +since I used to head off into the Bush this way in Washington.”</p> +<p>Gordon glanced at him with a twinkle in his eyes. +“Now,” he observed, “you’ve hit the reason the first +time. When you’ve done it once, you’ll do it again. +You have to. Perhaps it’s Nature’s protest against your +axiom that man’s chief business is dollar-making. Still, +I’m admitting that this is a blamed curious place for +Nasmyth to figure on killing a wapiti in. Say, are you +going to sleep here to-night, Derrick?”</p> +<p>It was very evident that none of the big wapiti––elks, +as the Bushman incorrectly calls them––could have +reached that spot, but Nasmyth laughed.</p> +<p>“I felt I’d like to see the fall––I don’t know why,” +he said. “It’s scarcely another mile, and I’ve been up +almost that far with an Indian before. There’s a ravine +with young spruce in it where we could sleep.”</p> +<p>“Then,” announced Wheeler resolutely, “we’re starting +right now. When I pole a canoe up a place of this +kind I want to see where I’m going. I once went down +a big rapid with the canoe-bottom up in front of me +in the dark, and one journey of that kind is quite enough.”</p> +<p>They dumped out their camp gear, and took hold of +the canoe, a beautifully modelled, fragile thing, hollowed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_102' name='page_102'></a>102</span> +out of a cedar log, and for the next half-hour hauled it +laboriously over some sixty yards of boulders and pushed +it, walking waist-deep, across rock-strewn pools. Then +they went back for their wet tent, axes, rifles, blankets, +and a bag of flour, and when they had reloaded the canoe, +they took up the poles again. It was the hardest kind +of work, and demanded strength and skill, for a very +small blunder would have meant wreck upon some froth-lapped +boulder, or an upset into the fierce white rush of +the river, but at length they reached a deep whirling +pool, round which long smears of white froth swung in +wild gyrations. The smooth rock rose out of the pool +without even a cranny one could slip a hand into, and +the river fell tumultuously over a ledge into the head +of it. The water swept out of a veil of thin white mist, +and the great rift rang with a bewildering din. One +felt that the vast primeval forces were omnipotent there. +As the men looked about them with the spray on their +wet faces and the white mist streaming by, Mattawa, who +stood up forward, dropped suddenly into the bottom of +the canoe.</p> +<p>“In poles,” he said. “Paddle! Get a move on her!” +Nasmyth, who felt his pole dip into empty water, +flung it in and grabbed his paddle, for the craft shot +forward suddenly with the swing of the eddy towards +the fall. He did not know whether the stream would +sweep them under it, but he was not desirous of affording +it the opportunity. For perhaps a minute they exerted +themselves furiously, gasping as they strained aching +arms and backs, and meanwhile, in spite of them, beneath +the towering fall of rock, the canoe slid on toward +the fall. It also drew a little nearer to the middle of +the pool, where there was a curious bevelled hollow, +round which the white foam spun. It seemed to Nasmyth +that the stream went bodily down.</p> +<p>“Paddle,” said Mattawa hoarsely. “Heave her clear +of it.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_103' name='page_103'></a>103</span></div> +<p>They drove furiously between the white-streaked shoot +of the fall and that horribly suggestive whirling; then, +as they went back towards the outrush from the pool, +they made another desperate, gasping effort. For several +moments it seemed that they must be swept back again, +and then they gained a little, and, with a few more +strokes, reached the edge of the rapid. They let the +canoe drive down the rapid while the boulders flashed +by them, for there was the same desire in all of them, +and that was to get as far as possible away from that +horrible pool. At last Mattawa, standing up forward, +poled the canoe in where a deep ravine rent the dark +rock’s side, and the party went ashore, wet and gasping. +Wheeler looked back up the gorge and solemnly shook +his head.</p> +<p>“If you want to see any more of it, you’ve got to +do it alone. I’ve had enough,” he declared. “A man +who runs a pulp-mill has no use for paddling under that +kind of fall. I’m not going back again.”</p> +<p>Mattawa and Gordon set the tent up in the hollow +of the ravine, while Wheeler hewed off spruce branches +with which to make the beds; but Nasmyth did nothing +to assist any of them. Thinking hard, he sat on a boulder, +with his unlighted pipe in his hand. The throbbing +roar of water rang about him; and it was then that the +great project crept into his mind. It was rapidly growing +dark in the bottom of the great rift, but he could still +see the dim white flashing of the fall and the vast wall +of rock and rugged hillside that ran up in shadowy +grandeur, high above his head, and as he gazed at it +all he felt his heart throb fast. He was conscious +of a curious thrill as he watched and listened +to that clash of stupendous forces. The river had +spent countless ages cutting out that channel, hurling +down mighty boulders and stream-driven shingle upon +the living rock; but it was, it seemed to him, within +man’s power to alter it in a few arduous months. He +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_104' name='page_104'></a>104</span> +sat very still, astonished at the daring of his own conception, +until Wheeler strolled up to him.</p> +<p>“How much does the river drop at the fall?” he +asked.</p> +<p>“About eight feet in the fall itself,” answered +Wheeler. “Seems to me it falls much more in the +rush above. Still, I can’t say I noticed it particularly––I +had something else to think about.”</p> +<p>“It’s a short rapid,” remarked Nasmyth reflectively. +“There is, no doubt, a great deal of the hardest kind of +rock under it, which is, in one or two respects, unfortunate. +I suppose you don’t know very much about +geology?”</p> +<p>“I don’t,” confessed the pulp-miller. “Machines are +my specialty.”</p> +<p>“Well,” said Nasmyth, “I’m afraid I don’t either, +and I believe one or two of these cañons have puzzled +wiser folks than I. You see, the general notion is that +the rivers made them, but it doesn’t seem quite reasonable +to imagine a river tilting at a solid range and splitting +it through the middle. In fact, it seems to me that some +of the cañons were there already, and the rivers just +ran into them. One or two Indians have come down +from the valley close to the fall, and they told me the +river was quite deep there. The rock just holds it up +at the fall. It’s a natural dam––a dyke, I think they +call it.”</p> +<p>“I don’t quite understand what all this is leading to,” +observed Wheeler.</p> +<p>Nasmyth laughed, though there was, as his companion +noticed, a curious look in his eyes. “I’ll try to make it +clearer when we get into the valley. We’re going there +to-morrow.”</p> +<p>It was almost dark now, and they went back together +to the little fire that burned redly among the spruces +in the ravine. There Mattawa and Gordon had a simple +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_105' name='page_105'></a>105</span> +supper ready. The others stretched themselves out, rolled +in their blankets, soon after they had eaten, but +Nasmyth lay propped up on one elbow, wide awake, +listening to the roar of water until well into the night. +The stream drowned the faint rustling of the spruces +in a great dominant note, and he set his lips as he recognized +its depth of tone and volume. He had once more determined +to pit all his strength of mind and body against +the river. Still, he went to sleep at last, and awakening +some time after it was dawn on the heights above, +roused his comrades. When breakfast was over he +started with them up the ravine to cross the range.</p> +<p>It was afternoon before they accomplished the climb, +though the height was not great and a ravine pierced the +crest, and they had rent most of their clothes to tatters +when they scrambled down the slope into the valley. +Those pine-shrouded hillsides are strewn with mighty +fallen trees, amid which the tangled underbrush grows +tall and rank, and, where the pines are less thickly +spaced, there are usually matted groves of willows, if +the soil is damp. They pitched camp on the edge of the +valley, and Gordon and Nasmyth prepared supper, while +Wheeler cut firewood and Mattawa went out to prospect +for the tracks of feeding deer. The axeman came back +to say there were no signs of any wapiti, though the +little Bush deer were evidently about, and it was decided +to try for one that night with the pitlight, a mode of +shooting now and then adopted when the deer are shy.</p> +<p>They ate their supper, and afterwards lay down with +their blankets rolled about them, for it grew very cold +as darkness crept up the valley. Like most of the other +valleys, this one was walled in by steep-sided, pine-shrouded +hills; but in this case there were no trees in +the bottom of it, which, while very narrow, appeared +several miles long. It was also nearly level, and the +river wound through it in deep, still bends. There are +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_106' name='page_106'></a>106</span> +not many valleys in that country in which heavy timber +fails to grow, and those within reach of a market have +been seized upon; for all ranch produce is in excellent +demand, and the clearing of virgin forest is a singularly +arduous task. In fact, there was only one reason why +this strip of natural prairie had not already been claimed. +Most of it was swamp. Nasmyth, who was quieter than +usual, watched the filmy mist creep about it as the soft +darkness rolled down the hillsides.</p> +<p>Gordon rose and hooked a pitlight into his hat. This +pitlight consists simply of a little open miner’s-lamp, +which has fixed beneath it a shield cut out of any convenient +meat-can. The lamp is filled with seal oil. Once +a man has fastened it upon his head, the light is cut off +from his person, so that he stands invisible, and the little +flame appears unsupported. Deer of any kind are endued +with an inquisitiveness which frequently leads to +their destruction, and when they notice the twinkling +light flitting through the air they approach it to ascertain +the reason for such an unusual thing. Then the +rancher shoots, as soon as their shining eyes become visible.</p> +<p>The party divided. Gordon and Nasmyth, who kept +near each other, fell over several rotting trees, and into +what appeared to be crumbling drains. They floundered +knee-deep through withered timothy, which is not a natural +grass. For an hour or two nobody saw any deer. +Then Gordon, who was cautiously skirting another drain, +closed in on Nasmyth until he touched his comrade. +Nasmyth heard a crackling rustle among the withered +grass. Gordon made a little abrupt movement.</p> +<p>“If we both blaze off, we double the odds on our +getting it,” he said.</p> +<p>Nasmyth only just heard him, for his heart was beating +with excitement; but as he stood knee-deep in the +grass, with both hands ready to pitch the heavy rifle up, +it seemed to him that Mattawa could not have been correct +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_107' name='page_107'></a>107</span> +when he said that there were only the Bush deer +about. Judging by the noise it was making, the approaching +beast, he thought, must be as big as a wapiti. Then +he saw two pale spots of light, which seemed curiously +high above the ground.</p> +<p>“I’m shooting,” he said, and in another moment the +butt was into his shoulder.</p> +<p>He felt the jar of it, but, as usual in such cases, he +heard no detonation, though the pale flash from Gordon’s +rifle was almost in his eyes. He, however, heard the +thud of the heavy bullet, and a moment or two later, +a floundering amidst the grass.</p> +<p>“That can’t be a Bush deer!” he cried.</p> +<p>“It sounds ’way more like an elephant,” said Gordon, +with a gasp.</p> +<p>They ran forward until they stopped a few yards +short of something very big and shadowy that was still +struggling in the grass. Gordon cautiously crept up a +little nearer.</p> +<p>“Those aren’t deer’s horns, anyway,” he announced. +“Plug it quick. The blamed thing’s getting up.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth flung the rifle up to his shoulder, and twice +jerked a fresh cartridge into the chamber, but this time +there was silence when the crash of the heavy Marlin +died away among the woods. They crept forward a +little further circumspectly, until Gordon stopped again +with a gasp of consternation.</p> +<p>“Well,” he said, “I guess it couldn’t be either a +Bush deer or a wapiti.”</p> +<p>They were still standing there when their comrades +came running up, and Mattawa, who took down his +light, broke into a great hoarse laugh.</p> +<p>“A steer!” he said, and pointed to a mark on the +hide. “One of Custer’s stock. Guess he’ll charge you +quite a few dollars for killing it.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth smiled somewhat ruefully, for he was by +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_108' name='page_108'></a>108</span> +no means burdened with wealth, but he was, after all, +not greatly astonished. Few of the small ranchers can +feed their stock entirely on their little patches of cleared +land, and it is not an unusual thing for most of the herd +to run almost wild in the Bush. Now and then, the +cattle acquire a somewhat perilous fondness for wrecking +road-makers’ and prospectors’ tents, which explains +why a steer occasionally fails to be found and some little +community of axemen is provided with more fresh meat +than can well be consumed.</p> +<p>“I’m afraid it’s rather more than likely I’ll have to +pay a good price,” said Nasmyth. “Do you feel anxious +for any more shooting to-night, Wheeler?”</p> +<p>“No,” said the pulp-miller, with a grin, as he surveyed +his bemired clothes. “Guess it’s going to prove expensive, +and I’ve had ’most enough. I don’t feel like +poling that canoe any farther up-river, either. What’s +the matter with camping right where we are until we +eat the steer?”</p> +<p>There was, however, as Mattawa pointed out, a good +deal to be done before they could make their first meal +off the beast, and none of them quite relished the task, +especially as they had only an axe and a couple of moderately +long knives. Still, it was done, and when they +carried a portion of the meat out of the swamp, and +had gone down to wash in the icy river, they went wearily +back to their tent among the firs.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_109' name='page_109'></a>109</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XI_THE_GREAT_IDEA' id='CHAPTER_XI_THE_GREAT_IDEA'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> +<h3>THE GREAT IDEA</h3> +</div> +<p>The night was cold, and a frost-laden wind set the +fir branches sighing as Nasmyth and his comrades +sat about a snapping fire. The red light flickered upon +their faces, and then grew dim again, leaving their blurred +figures indistinct amid the smoke that diffused pungent, +aromatic odours as it streamed by and vanished between +the towering tree-trunks.</p> +<p>The four men were of widely different type and training, +though it was characteristic of the country that they +sat and talked together on terms of perfect equality. +Two of them were exiles, by fault and misfortune, from +their natural environment. One had forced himself upwards +by daring and mechanical genius into a station +to which, in one sense, he did not belong, and Mattawa, +the chopper, alone, pursued the occupation which had always +been familiar to him. Still, it was as comrades that +they lived together in the wilderness, and, what was more, +had they come across one another afterwards in the cities, +they would have resumed their intercourse on exactly +the same footing. After all, they were, in essentials, +very much the same, and, when that is the case, the barriers +men raise between themselves do not count for +much in the West, at least. Wheeler, the pulp-mill +builder, who had once sold oranges on the railroad cars, +led up to a conversation that gave Nasmyth an opportunity +for which he had been waiting.</p> +<p>“You and Mattawa are about through with that +slashing contract,” he said. “You will not net a great +pile of money out of it, I suppose?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_110' name='page_110'></a>110</span></div> +<p>“My share is about thirty,” answered Nasmyth, with +a little laugh. “My partner draws a few dollars more. +He got in a week when the big log that rolled on my cut +leg lamed me. I seem to have a particularly unfortunate +habit of hurting myself. Are you going back to Ontario +when we get that money, Mattawa?”</p> +<p>“No,” the big axeman replied slowly; “anyway, not +yet, though I was thinking of it. The ticket costs too +much. They’ve been shoving up their Eastern rates.”</p> +<p>“You ought to have a few dollars in hand,” remarked +Nasmyth, who was quite aware that this was not exactly +his business. “Are you going to start a ranch?”</p> +<p>Mattawa appeared to smile. “I have one half cleared +back in Ontario.”</p> +<p>“Then what d’you come out here for?” Gordon +broke in.</p> +<p>“To give the boy a show. He’s quite smart, and we +were figuring we might make a doctor or a surveyor of +him. That costs money, and wages are ’way higher here +than they are back East.”</p> +<p>It was a simple statement, made very quietly by a +simple man, but it appealed forcibly to those who heard +it, for they could understand what lay behind it. Love +of change or adventure, it was evident, had nothing to +do with sending the grizzled Mattawa out to the forests +of the West. He had, as he said, merely come there that +his son might be afforded opportunities that he had never +had, and this was characteristic, for it is not often that +the second generation stays on the land. Though teamsters +and choppers to the manner born are busy here +and there, the Canadian prairie is to a large extent broken +and the forest driven back by young men from the Eastern +cities and by exiled Englishmen. Their life is a grim one, +and when they marry they do not desire their children to +continue it. Yet, they do not often marry, since the wilderness, +in most cases, would crush the wives they would +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_111' name='page_111'></a>111</span> +choose. The men toil on alone, facing flood, and drought, +and frost, and some hate the silence of the winter nights +during which they sit beside the stove.</p> +<p>“Then,” inquired Wheeler, “who runs the ranch?”</p> +<p>“The wife and the boy. That is, when the boy’s not +chopping or ploughing for somebody.”</p> +<p>There were reasons why Nasmyth was stirred by what +he had heard, and with his pipe he pointed to Mattawa, +as the flickering firelight fell upon the old axeman’s face.</p> +<p>“That,” he said, “is the man who didn’t want his +wages when I offered them to him, though he knew it +was quite likely he would never get them afterwards +unless I built the dam. He’d been working for me two +or three months then, in the flooded river, most of the +while. Now, is there any sense in that kind of man?”</p> +<p>Mattawa appeared disconcerted, and his hard face +flushed. “Well,” he explained, “I felt I had to see you +through.” He hesitated for a moment with a gesture +which seemed deprecatory of his point of view. “It +seemed up to me.”</p> +<p>“You’ve heard him,” said Gordon dryly. “He’s from +the desolate Bush back East, and nobody has taught him +to express himself clearly. The men of that kind are +handiest with the axe and drill, but it has always seemed +to me that the nations are going to sit round and listen +when they get up and speak their mind some day.”</p> +<p>He saw the smile in Nasmyth’s eyes, and turned to +Wheeler, who was from the State of Washington. “It’s +a solid fact that you, at least, can understand. It’s not +so very long since your folks headed West across the Ohio, +and it’s open to anyone to see what you have done.” +Then he flung his hand out towards the east. “They +fancy back yonder we’re still in the leading-strings, and +it doesn’t seem to strike them that we’re growing big +and strong.”</p> +<p>It was characteristic that Wheeler did not grin, as +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_112' name='page_112'></a>112</span> +Nasmyth certainly did. What Gordon had said was, no +doubt, a trifle flamboyant, but it expressed the views of +others in the West, and after all it was more or less warranted. +Mattawa, however, gazed at them both as if such +matters were beyond him, and Wheeler, who turned to +Nasmyth, changed the subject.</p> +<p>“Well,” he said, “what are you going to strike next?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth took out his pipe, and carefully filled it before +he answered, for he knew that his time had come, +and he desired greatly to carry his comrades along with +him.</p> +<p>“I have,” he said quietly, “a notion in my mind, or, +anyway, the germ of one, for the thing will want some +worrying out. It’s quite a serious undertaking. To begin +with, I’ll ask Gordon who cut these drains we’ve been +falling into, and what he did it for?”</p> +<p>“An Englishman,” Gordon answered. “Nobody +knew much about him. He was probably an exile, too. +Anyway, he saw this valley, and it seemed to strike him +that he could make a ranch in it.”</p> +<p>“Why should he fix on this particular valley?”</p> +<p>“The thing’s plain enough. How many years does a +man usually spend chopping a clearing out of the Bush? +Isn’t there a demand for anything that you can eat from +our miners and the men on our railroads and in our +mills? Why do we bring carloads of provisions in? Can’t +you get hold of the fact that a man can start ranching +right away on natural prairie, if he can once get the +water out of it?”</p> +<p>“Oh, yes,” assented Nasmyth. “The point is that +one has to get the water out of it. I would like Mattawa +and Wheeler to notice it. You can go on.”</p> +<p>“Well,” said Gordon, “that man pitched right in, and +spent most of two years cutting four-foot trenches through +and dyking up the swamp. He went on every day from +sun-up to dark, but every time the floods came they beat +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_113' name='page_113'></a>113</span> +him. When he walked over the range to the settlement, +the boys noticed he was getting kind of worn and thin, +but there was clean grit in that man. He’d taken hold +of the contract, and he stayed with it. Then one day +a prospector went into the valley after a big freshet and +came across his wrecked shanty. The river had got him.”</p> +<p>Wheeler nodded gravely. “It seems to me this country +was made by men like that,” he commented. “They’re +the kind they ought to put up monuments to.”</p> +<p>There was silence for a moment or two after that, +except for the sighing of the wind among the firs and +the hoarse murmur that came up, softened by the distance, +from the cañon. It was not an unusual story, but it +appealed to those who heard it, for they had fought with +rock and river and physical weariness, and they could +understand the grim patience and unflinching valour of +the long struggle that had resulted, as such struggles +sometimes do, only in defeat. Still, the men who take +those tasks in hand seldom capitulate. Gordon glanced +at Nasmyth.</p> +<p>“Now,” he said, “if you have anything to say, you can +get it out.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth raised himself on one elbow. “That Englishman +put up a good fight, but he didn’t start quite +right,” he said. “I want to point out that, in my opinion, +the river has evidently just run into the cañon. It’s slow +and deep until you reach the fall, where it’s merely held +up by the ridge of rock the rapid runs across. Well, +we’ll call the change of level twelve to sixteen feet, and, +as Gordon has suggested, a big strip of natural prairie is +apt to make a particularly desirable property, once you +run the water out of it. You can get rid of a lot of water +when you have a fall of sixteen feet.”</p> +<p>“How are you going to get it?” asked Wheeler.</p> +<p>“By cutting the strip of rock that holds the river up +at the fall. I think one could do it with giant-powder.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_114' name='page_114'></a>114</span></div> +<p>Again there was silence for a few moments, and Nasmyth +looked at his comrades quietly, with the firelight +on his face and a gleam in his eyes. They sat still and +stared at him, for the daring simplicity of his conception +won their admiration. Mattawa slowly straightened himself.</p> +<p>“It’s a great idea,” he declared. “Seen something +quite like it in Ontario; I guess it can be done.” He +turned to Nasmyth. “You can count me in.”</p> +<p>Wheeler made a sign of concurrence. “It seems to +me that Mattawa is right. In a general way, I’m +quite open to take a share in the thing, but there’s a point +you have to consider. Most of the work could be done +only at low water, and a man might spend several years +on it.”</p> +<p>“Well?” said Nasmyth simply.</p> +<p>Wheeler waved his hand. “Oh,” he said, “you’re +like that other Englishman, but you want to look at this +thing from a business point of view. Now, as you know, +the men who do the toughest work on this Pacific slope +are usually the ones who get the least for it. Well, if +you run the river down, you’ll dry out the whole valley, +and you’ll have every man with a fancy for ranching +jumping in, or some d––– land agency’s dummies grabbing +every rod of it. It’s Crown land. Anybody can +locate a ranch on it.”</p> +<p>“You have to buy the land,” said Nasmyth. “You +can’t pre-empt it here.”</p> +<p>“How does that count?” Wheeler persisted. “If you +started clearing a Bush ranch, you’d spend considerably +more.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth smiled. “I fancy our views coincide. The +point is that the Crown agents charge the usual figure +for land that doesn’t require making, which is not the +case in this particular valley. Well, before I cut the +first hole with the drill, they will either have to sell me +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_115' name='page_115'></a>115</span> +all I can take up on special terms, or make me a grant +for the work I do.”</p> +<p>Gordon laughed. “Are you going to hammer your +view of the matter into the Crown authorities? Did +you ever hear of anyone who got them to sanction a +proposition that was out of the usual run?”</p> +<p>“Well,” said Nasmyth, “I’m going to try. If they +won’t hear reason, I’ll start a syndicate round the settlement.”</p> +<p>Wheeler, leaning forward, dropped a hand on his shoulder. +“Count on me for a thousand dollars when you +want the money.” He turned and looked at Gordon. +“It’s your call.”</p> +<p>“I’ll raise the same amount,” said Gordon, “though +I’ll have to put a mortgage on the ranch.”</p> +<p>Mattawa made a little diffident gesture. “A hundred––it’s +the most I can do––but there’s the boy,” he said.</p> +<p>Nasmyth smiled in a curious way, for he knew this +offer was, after all, a much more liberal one than those +the others had made.</p> +<p>“You,” he said severely, “will be on wages. Yet, if +we put the thing through, you will certainly get your +share.”</p> +<p>He looked round at the other two, and after they had +expressed their approval, they discussed the project until +far into the night, and finally decided to recross the +range, and look at the fall again, early next morning. +It happened, however, that Mattawa, who went down to +the river for water, soon after sunrise, found a Siwash +canoe neatly covered with cedar branches. This was not +an astonishing thing, since the Indians, who come up the +rivers in the salmon season, often hew out a canoe on +the spot where they require it, and leave it there until +they have occasion to use it again. After considering the +matter at breakfast, the four men decided to go down the +cañon. They knew that one or two Indians were supposed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_116' name='page_116'></a>116</span> +to have made the hazardous trip, but that appeared +sufficient, for they were all accustomed to handling a +canoe, and an extra hazard or two is not often a great +deterrent to men who have toiled in the Bush.</p> +<p>They had a few misgivings when the hills closed about +them as they slipped into the shadowy entrance of the +cañon. No ray of sunlight ever streamed down there, and +the great hollow was dim and cold and filled with a thin +white mist, though a nipping wind flowed through it. +For a mile or two the hillsides, which rose precipitously +above them, were sprinkled here and there with climbing +pines, that on their far summits cut, faintly green, against +a little patch of blue. By-and-by, however, the canoe +left these slopes behind, and drifted into a narrow rift +between stupendous walls of rock, though there was a +narrow strip of shingle strewn with whitened driftwood +between the side of the cañon and the river. Then this +disappeared, and there was only the sliding water and the +smooth rock, while the patch of sky seemed no more than +a narrow riband of blue very high above.</p> +<p>Fortunately, the river flowed smoothly between its barriers +of stone, and, sounding with two poles lashed together, +the men got no bottom, and as the river swept +them on, they began to wonder uneasily how they were to +get back upstream. Once, indeed, Wheeler suggested +something of the kind, but none of the others answered +him, and he went on with his paddling.</p> +<p>At last a deep, pulsating roar that had been steadily +growing louder, swelled suddenly into a bewildering din, +and Mattawa shouted as they shot round a bend. There +was a whirling haze of spray into which the white rush +of a rapid led close in front of them, and for the next +minute they paddled circumspectly. Then Mattawa ran +the canoe in between two boulders at the head of the +rapid, and they got out and stood almost knee-deep in +the cold water. The whirling haze of spray which rose +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_117' name='page_117'></a>117</span> +and sank was rent now and then as the cold breeze swept +more strongly down the cañon, and it became evident that +the rapid was a very short one. The walls of rock stood +further apart at this point, and there was a strip of thinly-covered +shingle and boulders between the fierce white +rush of the flood and the worn stone. Mattawa grinned +as the others looked at him.</p> +<p>“I’m staying here to hang on to the canoe,” he said. +“Guess you don’t feel quite like going down that fall.”</p> +<p>They certainly did not, and they hesitated a moment +until Nasmyth suddenly moved forward.</p> +<p>“We came here to look at the fall, and I’m going +on,” he said.</p> +<p>They went with him, stumbling over the shingle, and +now and then floundering among the boulders, with the +stream that frothed about their thighs almost dragging +their feet from under them. Each of them gasped with +sincere relief when he scrambled out of the whirling pool. +They reached a strip of uncovered rock that stretched +across part of the wider hollow above the fall, and stood +there drenched and shivering for several minutes, scarcely +caring to speak as they gazed at the channel which the +stream had cut through the midst of it. Wheeler dropped +his hand on Nasmyth’s shoulder.</p> +<p>“Well,” he said––and Nasmyth could just hear him +through the roar of the fall––“it seems to me the thing +could be done if you have nerve enough. Still, I guess +if they let you have the whole valley afterwards, you’d +deserve it.” Then he seemed to laugh. “I’ll make my +share one thousand five hundred dollars. In the meanwhile, +if you have no objections, we’ll get back again.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_118' name='page_118'></a>118</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XII_WISBECH_MAKES_INQUIRIES' id='CHAPTER_XII_WISBECH_MAKES_INQUIRIES'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> +<h3>WISBECH MAKES INQUIRIES</h3> +</div> +<p>A little pale sunshine shone down into the opening +between the great cedar trunks when Laura Waynefleet +walked out of the shadowy Bush. The trail from +the settlement dipped into the hollow of a splashing +creek, just in front of her, and a yoke of oxen, which +trailed along a rude jumper-sled, plodded at her side. The +sled was loaded with a big sack of flour and a smaller +one of sugar, among other sundries which a rancher who +lived farther back along the trail had brought up from the +settlement in his waggon. Waynefleet’s hired man was +busy that morning, and as her stores were running out, +Laura had gone for the goods herself. Other women +from the cities have had to accustom themselves to driving +a span of oxen along those forest trails.</p> +<p>The beasts descended cautiously, for the slope was steep, +and Laura was half-way down it when she saw that a +man, who sat on the little log bridge, was watching her. +He was clearly a stranger, and, when she led the oxen +on to the bridge, tapping the brawny neck of one with a +long stick, he turned to her.</p> +<p>“Can you tell me if Waynefleet’s ranch is near here?” +he asked.</p> +<p>Laura glanced at him sharply, for there was no doubt +that he was English, and she wondered, with a faint +uneasiness, what his business was. In the meanwhile +the big, slowly-moving beasts had stopped and stood still, +blowing through their nostrils and regarding the stranger +with mild, contemplative eyes. One of them turned its +head towards the girl inquiringly, and the man laughed.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_119' name='page_119'></a>119</span></div> +<p>“One could almost fancy they wondered what I was +doing here,” he remarked.</p> +<p>“The ranch is about a mile in front of you,” said +Laura in answer to his question. “You are going there?”</p> +<p>“I am,” said the man. “I want to see Miss Waynefleet. +They told me to ask for her at the store.”</p> +<p>Laura looked at him again with some astonishment.</p> +<p>He was a little man, apparently about fifty, plainly +dressed in what appeared to be English clothing. Nothing +in his appearance suggested that he was a person of any +importance, or, indeed, of much education, but she liked +the way in which he had laughed when the ox had turned +towards her.</p> +<p>“Then,” she replied, “as that is my name, you need +not go any further.”</p> +<p>The man made a little bow. “Mine’s Wisbech, and +I belong to the Birmingham district, England,” he explained. +“I walked over from the settlement to make a +few inquiries about a relative of mine called Derrick +Nasmyth. They told me at the store that you would +probably know where he is, and what he is doing.”</p> +<p>Laura was conscious of a certain resentment against the +loquacious storekeeper. It was disconcerting to feel that +it was generally recognized that she was acquainted with +Nasmyth’s affairs, especially as she realized that the fact +might appear significant to his English relative. It would +scarcely be advisable, she decided, to ask the stranger to +walk on to dinner at the ranch, since such an invitation +would probably strengthen any misconceptions he might +have formed.</p> +<p>“Mr. Nasmyth is expecting you?” she asked.</p> +<p>“No,” said Wisbech––and a little twinkle, which she +found vaguely reassuring, crept into his eyes––“I don’t +think he is. In all probability he thinks I am still in +England. Perhaps, I had better tell you that I am going +to Japan and home by India. It’s a trip a good many +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_120' name='page_120'></a>120</span> +English people make since the C.P.R. put their new +Empress steamers on, and I merely stopped over at Victoria, +thinking I would see Derrick. He is, as perhaps +I mentioned, a nephew of mine.”</p> +<p>There was a certain frankness and something whimsical +in his manner which pleased the girl.</p> +<p>“You have walked from the settlement?” she asked.</p> +<p>“I have,” answered Wisbech. “It is rather a long +time since I have walked as much, and I found it quite +far enough. A man is bringing a horse up to take me +back, but I am by no means at home in the saddle. That”––and +he laughed––“is, I suppose, as great an admission +in this country as I have once or twice found it to be at +home.”</p> +<p>Laura fancied she understood exactly what he meant. +Most of her own male friends in England were accustomed +to both horses and guns, and this man certainly +did not bear the unmistakable stamp that was upon his +nephew.</p> +<p>“Then my father and I would be pleased if you will +call at the ranch and have dinner with us,” she said, +and continued a trifle hastily: “Anyone who has business +at a ranch is always expected to wait until the next meal +is over.”</p> +<p>Wisbech, who declared that it was evidently a hospitable +land, and that he would be very pleased, went on with +her; but he asked her nothing about Nasmyth as they +walked beside the plodding oxen. Instead, he appeared +interested in ranching, and Laura, who found herself +talking to him freely and naturally, supplied him with +considerable information, though she imagined once or +twice that he was unobtrusively watching her. He also +talked to Waynefleet and the hired man, when they had +dinner together at the ranch, and it was not until the +two men had gone back to their work that he referred to +the object he had in hand.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_121' name='page_121'></a>121</span></div> +<p>“I understand that my nephew spent some time here,” +he said.</p> +<p>Laura admitted that this was the case, and when he +made further inquiries, related briefly how Nasmyth had +first reached the ranch. She saw the man’s face grow intent, +as he listened, and there was a puzzling look in +his eyes, which he fixed upon her.</p> +<p>“So you took him in and nursed him,” he said. “I +wonder if I might ask why you did it? He had no +claim on you.”</p> +<p>“Most of our neighbours would have done the same,” +Laura answered.</p> +<p>“That hardly affects the case. I presume he was practically +penniless?”</p> +<p>“I wonder why you should seem so sure of that. As +a matter of fact, he had rather more than thirty dollars +in his possession when he set out from the logging camp, +but on the journey he lost the belt he kept the money +in.”</p> +<p>A queer light crept into Wisbech’s eyes. “That is +just the kind of thing one would expect Derrick Nasmyth +to do. You see, as I pointed out, he is my nephew.”</p> +<p>“You would not have lost that belt?”</p> +<p>Wisbech laughed. “No,” he said, “I certainly would +not. What I meant to suggest was that I am naturally +more or less acquainted with Derrick Nasmyth’s habits. +In fact, I may admit I was a little astonished to hear +he had contrived to accumulate those thirty dollars.”</p> +<p>Laura did not know exactly why she felt impelled to +tell him about the building of the dam, but she did so, +and made rather a stirring story of it. She was, at +least, determined that the man should realize that his +nephew had ability, and it is possible that she told him +a little more than she had intended, for Wisbech was +shrewd. Then it suddenly flashed upon her that he had +deliberately tricked her into setting forth his nephew’s +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_122' name='page_122'></a>122</span> +strong points, and was pleased that she had made the +most of them.</p> +<p>“The dam seems to have been rather an undertaking, +and I am glad he contrived to carry it through successfully,” +he commented. Then he looked at her with a +twinkle in his eyes. “I do not know yet where he got +the idea from.”</p> +<p>The girl flushed. This was, she felt, regrettable, but +she could not help it, for the man’s keenness was disconcerting, +and she was, also, a little indignant with him. +She had recognized that Derrick Nasmyth’s character had +its defects, but she was by no means prepared to admit +it to his relatives.</p> +<p>“Then it didn’t occur to you that an idea of that kind +was likely to appeal to your nephew?” she said.</p> +<p>“No,” declared Wisbech, “to be candid, it didn’t.” He +smiled again. “After all, I don’t think we need trouble +about that point, especially as it seems he has acquitted +himself very well. I, however, can’t help feeling it was +in some respects fortunate that he fell into your hands.”</p> +<p>Laura was usually composed, but he saw her face +harden, for she was angry at his insistence. “It is evident,” +he went on, “that he would not have had the opportunity +of building the dam unless you had nursed him +back to health and taken him into your employment.”</p> +<p>“It was my father who asked him to stay on at the +ranch.”</p> +<p>“I am not sure that the correction has any very great +significance. One would feel tempted to believe that your +father is, to some extent, in the habit of doing what you +suggest.”</p> +<p>Laura sat still a moment or two. She was certainly +angry with the stranger, and yet, in spite of that fact, +she felt that she liked him. There was a candour in his +manner which pleased her, as his good-humoured shrewdness +did, though she would have preferred not to have +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_123' name='page_123'></a>123</span> +the shrewdness exercised upon herself. It may be that +he guessed what she was thinking, for he smiled.</p> +<p>“Miss Waynefleet,” he said, “I almost fancy we should +make excellent friends, but there is a point on which I +should like you to enlighten me. Why did you take +the trouble to make me understand that you were doing +nothing unusual when you asked me to dinner?”</p> +<p>Laura laughed. “Well,” she said, “if one must be +accurate, I do not exactly know. I may have been a +little unwise in endeavouring to impress it on you. Why +did you consider it worth while to explain you had very +seldom been in the saddle?”</p> +<p>Wisbech’s manner became confidential. “It’s a fact +that has counted against me now and then. Besides, I +think you noticed my accent––it’s distinctly provincial, +and not like yours or Derrick’s––as soon as I told you +I was a relative of his. You see, I know my station. In +fact, I’m almost aggressively proud of it.” He spread out +his hands in a forceful fashion. “It’s a useful one.”</p> +<p>He reached out, and, to the girl’s surprise, took up a +bowl from the table, and appeared to weigh it in his hands. +It was made of the indurated fibre which is frequently +to be met with in the Bush ranches.</p> +<p>“This,” he said, “is, I suppose, the kind of thing they +are going to turn out at that wood-pulp mill. You have +probably observed the thickness of it?”</p> +<p>“I believe it is, though they are going to make paper +stock, too.”</p> +<p>“Well,” pursued Wisbech; “it may meet the requirements +of the country, but it is a very crude and inartistic +production. I may say that it is my business to make +enamelled ware. The Wisbech bowls and cups and basins +are justly celebrated––light and dainty, and turned out +to resemble marble, granite, or the most artistic china. +They will withstand any heat you can subject them to, +and practically last for ever.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_124' name='page_124'></a>124</span></div> +<p>He broke off for a moment with a chuckle. “I can’t +detach myself from my business as some people seem to +fancy one ought to do. After all, it is only by marriage +that Derrick Nasmyth is my nephew.” His manner became +grave again. “I married his mother’s sister––very +much against the wishes of the rest of the family. As +Derrick has lived some time here, the latter fact will +probably not astonish you.”</p> +<p>Laura said nothing, though she understood exactly what +he meant. She was becoming more sure that she liked the +man, but she realized that she might not have done so +had she met him before she came out to Canada, where +she had learned to recognize the essential points in character. +There were certainly respects in which his manner +would once have jarred upon her.</p> +<p>Her expression was reassuring when he turned to her +again.</p> +<p>“I was a retail chemist in a little pottery town when +I discovered the properties of one or two innocuous +fluxes, and how to make a certain leadless glaze,” he said. +“Probably you do not know that there were few more +unhealthy occupations than the glazing of certain kinds +of pottery. I was also fortunate enough to make a good +deal of money out of my discovery, and as I extended +its use, I eventually started a big enamelling works of my +own. After that I married; but the Nasmyths never +quite forgave me my little idiosyncrasies and some of my +views. They dropped me when my wife died. She”––his +face softened curiously––“was in many ways very +different from the rest of them.”</p> +<p>He broke off, and when he sat silent a moment or +two Laura felt a curious sympathy for him.</p> +<p>“Won’t you go on?” she said.</p> +<p>“We had no children,” said the man. “My own folks +were dead, but I contrived to see Derrick now and then. +My wife had been very fond of him, and I liked the lad. +Once or twice when I went up to London he insisted on +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_125' name='page_125'></a>125</span> +making a fuss over me––took me to his chambers and his +club, though I believe I was in several ways not exactly +a credit to him.”</p> +<p>Laura liked the little twinkle that crept back into his +eyes. It suggested the genial toleration of a man with +a nature big enough to overlook many trifles he might +have resented.</p> +<p>“Well,” he continued, “his father died suddenly, and, +when it became evident that his estate was deplorably involved, +Derrick went out to Canada. None of his fastidious +relatives seemed inclined to hold out a hand to +him. Perhaps this was not very astonishing, but I was +a little hurt that he did not afford me the opportunity. +In one way, however, the lad was right. He was willing +to stand on his own feet. There was pluck in him.”</p> +<p>He made an expressive gesture. “Now I’m anxious to +hear where he is and what he is doing.”</p> +<p>Laura was stirred by what he had said. She had +imagination, and could fill in many of the points Wisbech +had only hinted at. Nevertheless, she was not quite +pleased to recognize that he seemed to consider her as +much concerned about his nephew as he was himself.</p> +<p>“He is”––she tried to speak in an indifferent tone––“He +is at present engaged in building a difficult trestle +bridge on a railroad. It is not the kind of work any +man, who shrank from hazardous exertion, would delight +in; but I believe there is a reason why the terms offered +were a special inducement. He has a new project in his +mind, though I do not know a great deal about it.”</p> +<p>“I think you might tell me what you do know.”</p> +<p>Laura did so, though she had never been in the cañon. +The man listened attentively.</p> +<p>“Well,” he said, “I fancy I can promise that he shall, +at least, have an opportunity of putting that project +through. You haven’t, however, told me where the railroad +bridge is.”</p> +<p>The girl made him understand how he could most +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_126' name='page_126'></a>126</span> +easily reach it, and, while she was explaining the various +roads he must follow, there was a beat of hoofs outside. +Wisbech rose and held out his hand.</p> +<p>“I expect that is the man with my horse, and I’m +afraid I have kept you talking a very long while.” He +pressed her hand as he half apologized. “I wonder if +you will permit me to come back again some time?”</p> +<p>Laura said it would afford her and her father pleasure, +and she did not smile when he went out and scrambled +awkwardly into his saddle. The man who had brought +the horse up grinned broadly as he watched Wisbech jolt +across the clearing.</p> +<p>“I guess that man’s not going to make the settlement +on that horse. He rides ’most like a bag of flour,” he +remarked, with evident enjoyment of the stranger’s poor +horsemanship.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_127' name='page_127'></a>127</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIII_ON_THE_TRESTLE' id='CHAPTER_XIII_ON_THE_TRESTLE'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> +<h3>ON THE TRESTLE</h3> +</div> +<p>It was with difficulty that Wisbech reached the railroad +track upon which Laura Waynefleet had told him +Nasmyth was occupied. From the winding waggon-road, +he was forced to scramble down several hundred feet +through tangled undergrowth, and over great fallen logs. +Then he had to walk along the ties, which were spaced +most inconveniently apart, neither far enough for a long +stride nor close enough for a short one. It is, in fact, +unless one is accustomed to it, a particularly wearying +thing to walk any distance along a Western railroad +track; since local ticket rates are usually high on the Pacific +slope, and roads of any other kind are not always +available, the smaller ranchers and other impecunious +travellers frequently tramp miles upon the ties.</p> +<p>Wisbech, however, had not very far to go, and, though +it entailed an occasional stumble, he endeavoured to look +about him. He was progressing along the side of the +wonderful Fraser gorge, which is the great channel clearly +provided by Nature for the commerce of the mountain +province, and he was impressed by the spectacle upon which +he gazed. In front of him rose great rocky ramparts, with +here and there a snow-tipped peak cutting coldly white +against the glaring blue. Beneath these the climbing +pines rolled down in battalions to the brink of a vast hollow, +in the black depths of which the river roared far +below. Wisps of gauzy mist clung to the hillside, and +out of them the track came winding down, a sinuous +gleaming riband that links the nations with a band of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_128' name='page_128'></a>128</span> +steel. There were, as he knew, fleet steamers ready at +either end of it, in Vancouver Inlet, and at Montreal, two +thousand four hundred odd miles away, for this was the +all-British route round half the world from London to +Yokohama and Hong-Kong.</p> +<p>That fact had its effect on Wisbech as he plodded +painfully along the ties. He had Democratic notions, +but he was an Imperialist, too, which was, perhaps, after +all, not surprising, for he knew something of England’s +great dependencies. There are a good many men with +similar views in the Dominion, and they have certainly +lived up to them. Men undoubtedly work for money +in Western Canada, but one has only to listen to their +conversation in saloon and shanty to recognize the clean +pride in their manhood, and their faith in the destiny of +the land to which they belong. They have also proved +their faith by pitting their unshrinking courage and splendid +physical strength against savage Nature, and, among +their other achievements, that track blown out of the +living rock, flung over roaring rivers, and driven through +eternal snow, supplies a significant hint of what they can +bear and do. They buried mangled men in roaring cañon +and by giddy trestle, but the rails crept always on.</p> +<p>Wisbech came to the brink of a gorge which rent the +steep hillside. He could not tell how deep it was, but it +made him dizzy to look down upon the streak of frothing +water far below. The gorge was spanned by the usual +Western trestle bridge, an openwork fabric of timber just +wide enough to carry the single track rising out of the +chasm on tapering piers that looked ethereally fragile in +that wilderness of towering trees and tremendous slopes +of rock. The chunk of axes and ringing of hammers +jarred through the roar of the stream, and he could see +men clinging in mid-air to little stages slung about the +piers, and moving among the pines below. A man in a +ragged duck suit strode by him with an axe on his shoulder, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_129' name='page_129'></a>129</span> +and Wisbech half-diffidently ventured to inquire if +he could tell where Derrick Nasmyth could be found. +The man, who paid no attention to him, stopped close by, +and shouted to some of his comrades below.</p> +<p>“You ought to get that beam fixed before the fast +freight comes through, boys. There’s no sign of her yet,” +he called in a loud voice.</p> +<p>Somebody answered him, and the man turned to +Wisbech.</p> +<p>“Now, sir,” he replied tardily, “you were asking for +Nasmyth?”</p> +<p>Wisbech said he wished to see Derrick Nasmyth, and +the man nodded.</p> +<p>“Well,” said he, “you’ll have to wait a few minutes, +I guess he’s busy. There’s a log they want to put into +the trestle before the train comes along. It’s not his +particular business, but we’re rather anxious to get +through with our contract.”</p> +<p>“Ah,” returned Wisbech, “then I fancy I know who +you must be. In fact, I’m rather glad I came across you. +You are evidently the man who looked after my nephew +when he was ill, and from what Miss Waynefleet told +me, Derrick owes you a good deal.”</p> +<p>Gordon looked at Wisbech with a little smile, as he recalled +what Nasmyth had said about the man who had +sent him the draft.</p> +<p>“Well,” he remarked, as he pointed to the hillside, +“it would be quite hard to fancy there was very much +the matter with him now.”</p> +<p>Wisbech agreed with Gordon when he saw a man, who +was running hard, beside four brawny oxen that were +hauling a great dressed fir-log by a chain. They came +from an opening between the pines, and rushed along the +rude trail, which had a few skids across it. The trail led +downhill just there, and man and oxen went down the +slope furiously in the attempt to keep ahead of the big +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_130' name='page_130'></a>130</span> +log that jolted over the skids behind them. Wisbech had +never seen cattle of any kind progress in that fashion before, +but he naturally did not know that the Bush-bred +ox can travel at a headlong pace up and down hills and +amidst thickets a man would cautiously climb or painfully +crawl through. As they approached the level at the +foot of the slope, the man who drove them ran back, and +slipping his handspike under it, swung the butt of the log +round an obstacle. Wisbech gazed at his nephew with +astonishment when Nasmyth came up with the beasts +again. His battered wide hat was shapeless, his duck +trousers were badly rent, and the blue shirt, which was all +he wore above the waist, hung open half-way down his +breast. He was flushed and gasping, but the men upon +the trestle were evidently urging him to fresh exertion.</p> +<p>“Oh, hit her hard!” shouted one of them; and a +comrade clinging to a beam high above the river broke in: +“We’re waiting. Get a hump on. Bring her right +along.”</p> +<p>It was evident that Nasmyth was already doing all that +reasonably could have been expected of him, and in another +moment or two, four more men, who ran out of the +Bush, fell upon the log with handspikes, as the beasts +came to a long upward slope. They went up it savagely, +and Wisbech was conscious of a growing amazement as he +watched the floundering oxen and gasping men.</p> +<p>“Do you always work––like this?” he asked.</p> +<p>Gordon laughed. “Well,” he answered, “it isn’t the +bosses’ fault when we don’t. As it happens, however, a +good many of us are putting a contract through, and the +boys want to get that beam fixed before the fast freight +comes along. If they don’t, it’s quite likely she’ll shake +it loose or pitch some of them off the bridge. It has stood +a few years, and wants stiffening.”</p> +<p>“A few years!” said Wisbech. “There are bridges +in England that have existed since the first railways were +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_131' name='page_131'></a>131</span> +built. I believe they don’t require any great stiffening +yet.”</p> +<p>“Oh, yes,” said Gordon. “It’s quite what one would +expect. We do things differently. We heave our rails +down and fill up the country with miners and farmers +while you’d be worrying over your parliamentary bills. +We strengthen our track as we go along, and we’ll have +iron bridges over every river just as soon as they’re +wanted.”</p> +<p>Wisbech smiled. It seemed to him that these men +would probably get exactly what they set their minds +upon in spite of every obstacle.</p> +<p>“Why don’t they stop the train while they get the +beam into place?” he inquired.</p> +<p>“Nothing short of a big landslip is allowed to hold +that fast freight up,” Gordon replied. “It’s up to every +divisional superintendent between here and Winnipeg to +rush her along as fast as possible. Half the cars are +billed through to the Empress liner that goes out to-morrow.”</p> +<p>In the meanwhile the men and oxen had conveyed the +big log up the slope, and, while Nasmyth drove the beasts +back along the skidded track, it swung out over the +chasm at the end of a rope. Men leaning out from +fragile stages clutched at and guided it, and when one of +them shouted, Nasmyth cast the chain to which the rope +was fastened loose from his oxen. Then little lithe figures +crawled out along the beams of the trestle, and +there was a ringing of hammers. Gordon, who gazed +up the track, swung his arm up in warning.</p> +<p>“You’ve got to hump yourselves, boys,” he admonished.</p> +<p>The faint hoot of a whistle came ringing across the +pines, and a little puff of white smoke broke out far up +the track from among their sombre masses. It grew +rapidly larger, and the clang of the hammers quickened, +while Wisbech watched the white trail that swept along +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_132' name='page_132'></a>132</span> +the steep hillside until there was a sudden shouting. +Then he turned and saw his nephew running across the +bridge.</p> +<p>“Somebody has forgotten a bolt or a big spike,” said +Gordon.</p> +<p>Wisbech felt inclined to hold his breath as he watched +Nasmyth climb down the face of the trestle, but in another +minute or two he was clambering up again with +several other men behind him. There was another hoot +of the whistle, and, as Wisbech glanced up the track, a +great locomotive broke out from among the pines. It +was veiled in whirling dust and flying fragments of +ballast, and smoke that was grey instead of white, for the +track led down-grade, and the engineer had throttled the +steam. The engine was a huge one, built for mountain +hauling, and the freight cars that lurched out of the forest +behind it were huger still. Wisbech could see them rock, +and the roar which they made and which the pines flung +back grew deafening. Most of the cars had been coupled +up in the yards at Montreal, and were covered thick with +the dust that had whirled about them along two thousand +four hundred miles of track, and they were still speeding +on through the forests of the West, as they had done +through those of far-off Ontario.</p> +<p>It seemed to Wisbech as he gazed at the cars that they +ran pigmy freight trains in the land he came from, and +he was conscious of something that had a curious stirring +effect on him in the clang and clatter of that giant rolling +stock, as the engineer hurled his great train furiously +down-grade. It was man’s defiance of the wilderness, a +symbol of his domination over all the great material +forces of the world. The engineer, who glanced out +once from his dust-swept cab, held them bound and +subject in the hollow of the grimy hand he clenched upon +the throttle. With a deafening roar, the great train leapt +across the trestle, which seemed to rock and reel under it, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_133' name='page_133'></a>133</span> +and plunged once more into the forest. A whistle +sounded––a greeting to the men upon the bridge––and +then the uproar died away in a long diminuendo among +the sombre pines.</p> +<p>It was in most respects a fortuitous moment for Wisbech’s +nephew to meet him, and the older man smiled as +Nasmyth strode along the track to grasp his outstretched +hand.</p> +<p>“I’m glad to see you, Derrick,” said Wisbech, who +drew back a pace and looked at his nephew critically.</p> +<p>“You have changed since I last shook hands with you +in London, my lad,” he continued. “You didn’t wear +blue duck, and you hadn’t hands of that kind then.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth glanced at his scarred fingers and broken +nails.</p> +<p>“I’ve been up against it, as they say here, since those +days,” he replied.</p> +<p>“And it has done you a world of good!”</p> +<p>Nasmyth laughed. “Well,” he said, “perhaps it has. +Any way, that’s not a point we need worry over just +now. Where have you sprung from?”</p> +<p>Wisbech told him, and added that there were many +things he would like to talk about, whereupon Nasmyth +smiled in a deprecatory manner.</p> +<p>“I’m afraid you’ll have to wait an hour or two,” he +said. “You see, there are several more big logs ready for +hauling down, and I have to keep the boys supplied. I’ll +be at liberty after supper, and you can’t get back to-night. +In the meanwhile you might like to walk along to where +we’re getting the logs out.”</p> +<p>Wisbech went with him and Gordon, and was impressed +when he saw how they and the oxen handled the giant +trunks. He, however, kept his thoughts to himself, and, +quietly smoking, sat on a redwood log, a little, unobtrusive, +grey-clad figure, until Gordon, who had disappeared +during the last hour, announced that supper was ready. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_134' name='page_134'></a>134</span> +Then Wisbech followed Nasmyth and Gordon to their +quarters, which they had fashioned out of canvas, a few +sheets of corrugated iron, and strips of bark, for, as their +work was on the hillside, they lived apart from the regular +railroad gang. The little hut was rudely comfortable, and +the meal Gordon set out was creditably cooked. Wisbech +liked the resinous scent of the wood smoke that hung +about the spot, and the faint aromatic odour of the pine-twig +beds and roofing-bark. When the meal was over, +they sat a while beneath the hanging-lamp, smoking and +discussing general topics, until Nasmyth indicated the +canvas walls of the hut and the beds of spruce twigs with +a wave of his hand.</p> +<p>“You will excuse your quarters. They’re rather +primitive,” he said.</p> +<p>Wisbech’s eyes twinkled. “I almost think I shall feel +as much at home as I did when you last entertained me +at your club, and I’m not sure that I don’t like your new +friends best,” he said. “The others were a trifle patronizing, +though, perhaps, they didn’t mean to be. In fact, +it was rather a plucky thing you did that day.”</p> +<p>A faint flush crept into Nasmyth’s bronzed face, but +Wisbech smiled reassuringly as he glanced about the hut.</p> +<p>“The question is what all this is leading to,” he observed +with inquiry in his tone.</p> +<p>Gordon rose. “I’ll go along and talk to the boys,” he +announced. “I won’t be back for an hour or two.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth glanced at Wisbech before he turned to his +comrade.</p> +<p>“I would sooner you stayed where you are,” he said. +Then he answered Wisbech. “In the first place, if we +are reasonably fortunate, it should lead to the acquisition +of about a couple of hundred dollars.”</p> +<p>“Still,” said Wisbech, “that will not go very far. +What will be the next thing when you have got the +money?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_135' name='page_135'></a>135</span></div> +<p>“In a general way, I should endeavour to earn a few +more dollars by pulling out fir-stumps for somebody or +clearing land.”</p> +<p>Wisbech nodded. “No doubt they’re useful occupations, +but one would scarcely fancy them likely to prove +very remunerative,” he said. “You have, it seems to +me, reached an age when you have to choose. Are you +content to go on as you are doing now?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth’s face flushed as he saw the smile in Gordon’s +eyes, for it was evident that Wisbech and Laura Waynefleet +held much the same views concerning him. They +appeared to fancy that he required a lot of what might +be termed judicious prodding. This was in one sense not +exactly flattering, but he did not immediately mention his +great project for drying out the valley. He would not +hasten to remove a wrong impression concerning himself.</p> +<p>“Well,” resumed Wisbech, seeing he did not answer, +“if you care to go back and take up your profession in +England again, I think I can contrive to give you a fair +start. You needn’t be diffident. I can afford it, and the +thing is more or less my duty.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth sat silent. There was no doubt that the +comfort and refinement of the old life appealed to one +side of his nature, and there were respects in which his +present surroundings jarred on him. It is also probable +that, had the offer been made him before he had had a +certain talk with Laura Waynefleet, he would have profited +by it, but she had roused something that was latent +in him, and at the same time endued him with a vague +distrust of himself, the effect of which was largely beneficial. +He had realized then his perilous propensity for +what she had called drifting, and, after all, men of his +kind are likely to drift fastest when everything is made +pleasant for them. It was characteristic that he looked +inquiringly at Gordon, who nodded.</p> +<p>“I think you ought to go, if it’s only for a year or two,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_136' name='page_136'></a>136</span> +said Gordon. “It’s the life you were born to. Give it +another trial. You can come back to the Bush again if +you find it fails.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth appeared to consider this, and the two men +watched him intently, Wisbech with a curious expression +in his shrewd eyes. Then, somewhat to their surprise, +Nasmyth broke into a little harsh laugh.</p> +<p>“That there is a possibility of my failing seems sufficient,” +he said. “Here I must fight. I am, as we say, up +against it.” He turned to Wisbech. “Now if you will +listen, I will tell you something.”</p> +<p>For the next few minutes he described his project for +running the water out of the valley, and when he sat +silent again there was satisfaction in Wisbech’s face.</p> +<p>“Well,” said Wisbech, “I am going to give you your +opportunity. It’s a thing I insist upon, and, as it happens, +I’m in a position to do it more or less effectually. +I have letters to folks of some importance in Victoria––Government +men among others––and you’ll go down there +and live as you would have done in England just as long +as appears advisable while you try to put the project +through. It is quite evident that you will have to get +one of the land exploitation concerns to back you, and no +doubt a charter or concession of some kind will have to +be obtained from the Crown authorities. The time you +spend over the thing in Victoria should make it clear +where your capacities lie––if it’s handling matters of this +kind in the cities, or leading your workmen in the Bush. +I purpose to take a share in your venture, and I’m offering +you an opportunity of making sure which is the kind of +life you’re most fitted for.”</p> +<p>“I guess you ought to go,” remarked Gordon quietly.</p> +<p>Nasmyth smiled. “That,” he agreed, “is my own +opinion.”</p> +<p>“Then we’ll consider it as decided,” said Wisbech. +“It seems to me I could spend a month or two in this +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_137' name='page_137'></a>137</span> +province very satisfactorily, and we’ll go down to Victoria +together, as soon as you have carried out this timber-cutting +contract.”</p> +<p>They talked of other matters, while now and then men +from the railroad gang dropped in and made themselves +pleasant to the stranger. It must be admitted that there +are one or two kinds of wandering Englishmen, who +would not have found them particularly friendly, but the +little quiet man with the twinkling eyes was very much +at home with them. He had been endued with the gift +of comprehension, and rock-cutter and axeman opened +their minds to him. In fact, he declared his full satisfaction +with the entertainment afforded him before he lay +down upon his bed of springy spruce twigs.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_138' name='page_138'></a>138</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIV_IN_THE_MOONLIGHT' id='CHAPTER_XIV_IN_THE_MOONLIGHT'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> +<h3>IN THE MOONLIGHT</h3> +</div> +<p>There was a full moon in the clear blue heavens, +and its silvery light streamed into the pillared +veranda where Nasmyth sat, cigar in hand, on the seaward +front of James Acton’s house, which stood about +an hour’s ride from Victoria on the Dunsmer railroad. +Like many other successful men in that country, Acton +had begun life in a three-roomed shanty, and now, when, +at the age of fifty, he was in possession of a comfortable +competence, he would have been well content to retire to +his native settlement in the wilderness. There was, however, +the difficulty that the first suggestion of such a course +would have been vetoed by his wife, who was an ambitious +woman, younger than he, and, as a rule, at least, Acton +submitted to her good-humouredly. That was why he +retained his seat on several directorates, and had built +Bonavista on the bluff above the Straits of Georgia, instead +of the ranch-house in the Bush he still hankered for.</p> +<p>Bonavista had cost him much money, but Mrs. Acton +had seen that it was wisely expended, and the long wooden +house, with its colonnades of slender pillars, daintily sawn +scroll-work, shingled roof, and wide verandas, justified +her taste. Acton reserved one simply furnished room in +it for himself, and made no objections when she filled the +rest of it with miscellaneous guests. Wisbech had +brought him a letter from a person of consequence, and +he had offered the Englishman and his nephew the freedom +of his house. He would not have done this to everybody, +though they are a hospitable people in the West, but +he had recognized in the unostentatious Wisbech one or +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_139' name='page_139'></a>139</span> +two of the characteristics that were somewhat marked in +himself, and his wife, as it happened, extended her favour +to Nasmyth as soon as she saw him. She had been quick +to recognize something she found congenial in his voice +and manner, though none of the points she noticed would +in all probability have appealed to her husband. Acton +leaned upon the veranda balustrade, with a particularly +rank cigar in his hand, a gaunt, big-boned man in badly-fitting +clothes. It was characteristic of him that he had +not spoken to Nasmyth since he stepped out from one of +the windows five minutes earlier.</p> +<p>“It’s kind of pretty,” he said, indicating the prospect +with a little wave of his hand.</p> +<p>Nasmyth admitted that it was pretty indeed, and +his concurrence was justified. Sombre pinewoods and +rocky heights walled in the wooden dwelling, but in front +of it the ground fell sharply away, and beyond the shadow +of the tall crags a blaze of moonlight stretched eastwards +athwart the sparkling sea.</p> +<p>“Well,” said Acton, “it’s ’most as good a place for a +house as I could find anywhere the cars could take me +into town, and that’s partly why we raised it here.”</p> +<p>Then he glanced down at the little white steamer lying +in the inlet below. “That’s one of my own particular +toys. You’re coming up the coast with us next week for +the salmon-trolling?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth said that he did not know what his uncle’s +intentions were, but he was almost afraid they had trespassed +on their host’s kindness already. Acton laughed.</p> +<p>“We have folks here for a month quite often––folks +that I can’t talk to and who don’t seem to think it worth +while to talk to me. Now I can get along with your +uncle; I can mostly tell that kind of man when I see him. +You have got to let him stay some weeks yet. It would +be in one way a kindness to me. What makes the thing +easier is the fact that Mrs. Acton has taken to you, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_140' name='page_140'></a>140</span> +when she gets hold of anyone she likes, she doesn’t let +him go.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth was content to stay, and he felt that it would +be a kindness to his host. Acton appeared willing to fall +in with the views of his wife, but Nasmyth fancied that +he was now and then a little lonely in his own house.</p> +<p>“Both of you have done everything you could to make +our stay pleasant,” Nasmyth declared.</p> +<p>“It was quite easy in your case,” and a twinkle crept +into his host’s eyes. “Your uncle’s the same kind of a +man as I am, and one can see you have been up against it +since you came to this country. That’s one of the best +things that can happen to any young man. I guess it’s +not our fault we don’t like all the young men they send +us out from the Old Country.” He glanced down at his +cigar. “Well, I’ve pretty well smoked this thing out. +It’s the kind of cigar I was raised on, but I’m not allowed +to use that kind anywhere in my house.”</p> +<p>In another moment Acton swung round, and stepped +back through an open window. He generally moved +abruptly, and was now and then painfully direct in conversation, +but Nasmyth had been long enough in that +country to understand and to like him. He was a man +with a grip of essential things, but it was evident that he +could bear good-humouredly with the views of others.</p> +<p>Nasmyth sat still after Acton left him. There were +other guests in the house, and the row of windows behind +him blazed with light. One or two of the big casements +were open, and music and odd bursts of laughter drifted +out. Somebody, it seemed, was singing an amusing song, +but the snatches of it that reached Nasmyth struck him +as pointless and inane. He had been at Bonavista a week, +but, after his simple, strenuous life in the Bush, he felt +at times overwhelmed by the boisterous vivacity with +which his new companions pursued their diversions. +There are not many men without an occupation in the +West, but Mrs. Acton knew where to lay her hands on +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_141' name='page_141'></a>141</span> +them, and her husband sometimes said that it was the folks +who had nothing worth while to do who always made the +greatest fuss. But Nasmyth found it pleasant to pick up +again the threads of the life which he had almost come to +the conclusion that he had done with altogether. It was +comforting to feel that he could sleep as long as he liked, +and then rise and dress himself in whole, dry garments, +while there was also a certain satisfaction in sitting down +to a daintily laid and well-spread table when he remembered +how often he had dragged himself back to his tent +almost too worn out to cook his evening meal. On the +whole, he was glad that Acton had urged him to remain +another week or two.</p> +<p>Then he became interested as a girl stepped out of one +of the lighted windows some little distance away, and, +without noticing him, leaned upon the veranda balustrade. +The smile in her eyes, he fancied, suggested a certain satisfaction +at the fact that what she had done had irritated +somebody. Why it should do so he did not know, but it +certainly conveyed that impression. In another minute a +man appeared in the portico, and the manner in which he +moved forward, after he had glanced along the veranda, +was more suggestive still. The girl who leaned on the +balustrade no doubt saw him, and she walked towards +Nasmyth, whom, apparently, she had now seen for the +first time. Nasmyth thought he understood the reason +for this, and, though it was not exactly flattering to himself, +he smiled as he rose and drew forward another chair. +He believed most of Mrs. Acton’s guests were acquainted +with the fact that he was an impecunious dam-builder.</p> +<p>The girl, who sat down in the chair he offered, smiled +when he flung his half-smoked cigar away, and Nasmyth +laughed as he saw the twinkle in her eyes, for he had +stopped smoking with a half-conscious reluctance.</p> +<p>“It really was a pity, especially as I wouldn’t have +minded in the least,” she observed.</p> +<p>Nasmyth glanced along the veranda, and saw that the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_142' name='page_142'></a>142</span> +man, who had discovered that there was not another chair +available, was standing still, evidently irresolute. Probably +he recognized that it would be difficult to preserve a +becoming ease of manner in attempting to force his company +upon two persons who were not anxious for it, and +were sitting down. Nasmyth looked at the girl and prepared +to undertake the part that he supposed she desired +him to play. She was attired in what he would have described +as modified evening dress, and her arms and neck +gleamed with an ivory whiteness in the moonlight. She +was slight in form, and curiously dainty as well as pretty. +Her hair was black, and she had eyes that matched it, for +they were dark and soft, with curious lights in them, but, +as she settled herself beside him in the pale moonlight it +seemed to him that “dainty” did not describe her very +well. She was rather elusively ethereal.</p> +<p>“I really don’t think you could expect me to make any +admission of that kind about my cigar, Miss Hamilton,” +he said. “Still, it would perhaps have been excusable. +You see, I have just come out of the Bush.”</p> +<p>Violet Hamilton smiled. “You are not accustomed +to throw anything away up there?”</p> +<p>“No,” answered Nasmyth, with an air of reflection; +“I scarcely think we are. Certainly not when it’s a cigar +of the kind Mr. Acton supplies his guests with.”</p> +<p>He imagined that his companion satisfied herself that +the man she evidently desired to avoid had not gone away +yet, before she turned to him again.</p> +<p>“Aren’t you risking Mrs. Acton’s displeasure in sitting +out here alone?” she inquired. “You are probably aware +that this is not what she expects from you?”</p> +<p>“I almost think the retort is obvious.” And Nasmyth +wondered whether he had gone further than he intended, +when he saw the momentary hardness in his companion’s +eyes. It suggested that the last thing her hostess had expected +her to do was to keep out of the way of the man +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_143' name='page_143'></a>143</span> +who had followed her on to the veranda. He accordingly +endeavoured to divert her attention from that subject.</p> +<p>“Any way, I find all this rather bewildering now and +then,” he said, and indicated the lights and laughter and +music in the house behind him with a little movement of +his hand. “This is a very different world from the one +I have been accustomed to, and it takes some time to adapt +oneself to changed conditions.”</p> +<p>He broke off as he saw the other man slowly turn away. +He looked at the girl with a smile. “I can go on a little +longer if it appears worth while.”</p> +<p>Violet Hamilton laughed. “Ah,” she said, “one +should never put one’s suspicions into words like that. +Besides, I almost think one of your observations was a +little misleading. There are reasons for believing that +you are quite familiar with the kind of life you were referring +to.”</p> +<p>It was clear to Nasmyth that she had been observing +him, but he did not realize that she was then watching +him with keen, half-covert curiosity. He was certainly a +well-favoured man, and though his conversation and demeanour +did not differ greatly from those of other young +men she was accustomed to; there was also something +about him which she vaguely recognized as setting him +apart from the rest. He was a little more quiet than +most of them, and there were a certain steadiness in his +eyes, and a faint hardness in the lines of his face, which +roused her interest. He had been up against it, as they +say in that country, which is a thing that usually leaves +its mark upon a man. It endues him with control, and, +above all, with comprehension.</p> +<p>“Oh,” he said, “a man not burdened with money is +now and then forced to wander. He naturally picks up a +few impressions here and there. I wonder if you find it +chilly sitting here?”</p> +<p>The girl rose, with a little laugh. “That,” she said, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_144' name='page_144'></a>144</span> +“was evidently meant to afford me an opportunity. I +think I should like to go down to the Inlet.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth, who understood this as an invitation, went +with her, and, five minutes later, they strolled out upon +the crown of the bluff, down the side of which a little +path wound precipitously. Nasmyth held his hand out +at the head of it, and they went down together cautiously, +until they stood on the smooth white shingle close by +where the little steamer lay. The girl looked about her +with a smile of appreciation.</p> +<p>A lane of dusky water, that heaved languidly upon +the pebbles, ran inland past them under the dark rock’s +side, and it was very still in the shadow of the climbing +firs. On the further shore a flood of silvery radiance, +against which the dark branches cut black as ebony, +streamed down into the rift, and beyond the rocky gateway +there was brilliant moonlight on the smooth heave of +sea. The girl glanced at it longingly, and then, though +she said nothing, her eyes rested on a little beautifully +modelled cedar canoe that lay close by. In another moment +Nasmyth had laid his hands on it, and she noticed how +easily he ran it down the beach, as she had noticed how +steady of foot he was when she held fast to his hand as +they came down the bluff. With a curious little smile +that she remembered afterwards, he glanced towards the +shadowy rocks which shut in the entrance to the Inlet.</p> +<p>“Shall we go and see what there is out yonder beyond +those gates?” he asked.</p> +<p>“Ah,” replied the girl, “what could there be? Aren’t +you taking an unfair advantage in appealing to our +curiosity?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth made a whimsical gesture as he answered +her, for he saw that she could be fanciful, too. “Unsubstantial +moonlight, glamour, mystery––perhaps other +things as well,” he said. “If you are curious, why +shouldn’t we go and see?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_145' name='page_145'></a>145</span></div> +<p>She made no demur, and helping her into the canoe, he +thrust the light craft off, and, with a sturdy stroke of the +paddle, drove it out into the Inlet. It was a thing he was +used to, for he had painfully driven ruder craft of that +kind up wildly-frothing rivers, and the girl noticed the +powerful swing of his shoulders and the rhythmic splash +of his paddle, though there were other things that had +their effect on her––the languid lapping of the brine on +shingle, and the gurgle round the canoe, that seemed to +be sliding out towards the moonlight through a world of +unsubstantial shadow. She admitted that the man interested +her. He had a quick wit and a whimsical fancy +that appealed to her, but he had also hard, workman’s +hands, and he managed the canoe as she imagined one +who had undertaken such things professionally would +have done.</p> +<p>When the shimmering blaze of moonlight lay close in +front of them, he let his paddle trail in the water for a +moment or two, and, turning, glanced back at the house +on the bluff. Its lower windows blinked patches of warm +orange light against the dusky pines.</p> +<p>“That,” he said, “in one respect typifies all you are +accustomed to. It stands for the things you know. +Aren’t you a little afraid of leaving it behind you?”</p> +<p>“I think I suggested that you were accustomed to +them, too!”</p> +<p>Nasmyth laughed. “Oh,” he said, “I was turned +out of that world a long while ago. We are going to +see a different one together.”</p> +<p>“The one you know?”</p> +<p>“Well,” returned the man reflectively, “I’m not quite +sure that I do. It’s the one I live in, but that doesn’t +go very far after all. Now and then I think one could +live in the wilderness a lifetime without really knowing +it. There’s an elusive something in or behind it that +evades one––the mystery that hides in all grandeur and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_146' name='page_146'></a>146</span> +beauty. Still, there’s a peril in it. Like the moonlight, +it gets hold of you.”</p> +<p>The girl fancied that she understood him, but she +wondered how far it was significant that they should slide +out into the flood of radiance together when he once more +drove the light craft ahead.</p> +<p>The smooth sea shimmered like molten silver about the +canoe, and ran in sparkling drops from the dripping paddle. +The bluff hung high above them, a tremendous +shadowy wall, and the sweet scent of the firs came off +from it with the little land breeze. They swung out +over the smooth levels that heaved with a slow, rhythmic +pulsation, and Nasmyth wondered whether he was wise +when he glanced at his companion. She sat still, looking +about her dreamily, very dainty––almost ethereal, he +thought––in that silvery light, and it was so long since he +had talked confidentially to a woman of her kind, attired +as became her station. Laura Waynefleet’s hands, as he +remembered, were hard and sometimes red, and the stamp +of care was plain on her; but it was very different with +Violet Hamilton. She was wholly a product of luxury +and refinement, and the mere artistic beauty of her attire, +which seemed a part of her, appealed to his imagination.</p> +<p>He did not remember how she set him talking, but he +told her whimsical, and now and then grim, stories of +his life in the shadowy Bush, and she listened with +quick comprehension. She seemed to endow him with +that quality, too, since, as he talked, he began to +realize, as he had never quite comprehended before, the +something that lay behind the tense struggle of man with +Nature and all the strenuous endeavour. Perhaps he +expressed it in a degree, for now and then the girl’s eyes +kindled as he told of some heroic grapple with giant +rock and roaring river, gnawing hunger, and loneliness, +and the beaten man’s despair. He found her attention +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_147' name='page_147'></a>147</span> +gratifying. It was certainly pleasant, though he had +not consciously adopted the pose, to figure in the eyes +of such a girl as one who had known most of the hardships +that man can bear and played his part in the great +epic struggle for the subjugation of the wilderness. As +it happened, she did not know that those who bear the +brunt of that grim strife are for the most part dumb. +Their share is confined to swinging the axe and gripping +the jarring drill.</p> +<p>It was an hour after they left the Inlet when the land +breeze came down a little fresher, and swinging the canoe +round, he drove it back over a glittering sea that commenced +to splash about the polished side of the light craft. +Then both of them ceased talking until, as they approached +the shadowy rift in the rock, the girl looked back with a +laugh.</p> +<p>“It is almost a pity to leave all that behind,” she said +softly.</p> +<p>Nasmyth nodded as he glanced up at the lighted windows +of the house. “In one sense it is. Still, it’s rather +curious that I think I never appreciated it quite so much +before.” He let his paddle trail as he wondered whether +he had gone too far. “I suppose you are going up the +coast with Mrs. Acton in the steamer?” he inquired.</p> +<p>“Yes,” answered Violet Hamilton, with an air of reflection; +“I was not quite sure whether I would or not, +but now I almost think I will.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth was sensible of a little thrill of satisfaction, +for he knew it was understood at Bonavista that he was +going too. He decided that he could certainly go. He +dipped his paddle strongly, and laughed as they slid forward +into the shadow.</p> +<p>“Now,” he said, “you are safely back in your own +realm again.”</p> +<p>“You called it a world a little while ago,” said the +girl.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_148' name='page_148'></a>148</span></div> +<p>“I did,” replied Nasmyth. “Still, I almost think the +word I substituted is justifiable.”</p> +<p>Violet Hamilton said nothing as they climbed the +bluff, but she wondered how far the change he had made +was significant. All the men at Bonavista were her subjects, +but until that night, at least, Nasmyth had in that +sense stood apart from them, and it is always more or less +gratifying to extend one’s sovereignty.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_149' name='page_149'></a>149</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XV_MARTIALS_MISADVENTURE' id='CHAPTER_XV_MARTIALS_MISADVENTURE'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> +<h3>MARTIAL’S MISADVENTURE</h3> +</div> +<p>There was not a breath of wind, and the night was +soft and warm, when Nasmyth lay stretched upon +the <i>Tillicum’s</i> deck, with his shoulder against the saloon +skylights and a pipe in his hand. The little steamer lay +with her anchor down under a long forest-shadowed +point, behind which a half-moon hung close above the +great black pines. Some distance astern of her, a schooner +lay waiting for a wind with the loose folds of her big +mainsail flapping black athwart the silvery light, and her +blinking anchor-light flung a faint track of brightness +across the sliding tide. There was only the soft lap of +the water along the steamer’s side and the splash of the +little swell upon the beach to break the stillness, for the +sea was smooth as oil.</p> +<p>The <i>Tillicum</i> would not have compared favourably +with an English steam-yacht. She had been built for the +useful purpose of towing saw-logs, and was sold cheap +when, as the mill she kept supplied grew larger, she +proved too small for it. Acton, however, was by no +means a fastidious person, and when he had fitted her with +a little saloon, and made a few primitive alterations below, +he said she was quite good enough for him. For +that matter, anyone fond of it might navigate the land-locked +waters of Puget Sound and the Straits of Georgia +in an open whaleboat with satisfaction in summer-time. +There are islands everywhere, wonderful rock-walled inlets +that one can sail into, beaches to which the primeval +forest comes rolling down, and always above the blue +waters tower tremendous ramparts of never-melting snow.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_150' name='page_150'></a>150</span></div> +<p>On the evening in question, Acton was not on board. +He had taken his wife and guests ashore that morning +for an excursion to a certain river where there was excellent +trout-fishing, and, as a hotel had lately been built +for the convenience of sportsmen visitors, it was uncertain +whether they would return that night. Nasmyth had +not made one of the party because there was scarcely room +for everybody in the gig, and six miles, which was the +distance to the river mouth, was rather far to row in the +dinghy. Another guest called Martial also had been +left behind, and afterwards had been rowed ashore to +visit a ranching property somewhere in the neighbourhood. +He was the man who had followed Miss Hamilton out +on to the veranda one night, and Nasmyth, who did not +like him, understood that he was connected with a big +land exploitation agency.</p> +<p>Nasmyth felt more or less contented with everything, +as he lay upon the <i>Tillicum’s</i> deck listening to the faint +murmur of the swell upon the boulder beach. He had +made certain propositions to the Crown lands authorities, +which he believed they would look into, and while he +waited he found the customs and luxuries of civilization +pleasant. He found the society of Violet Hamilton more +pleasant still, and the demeanour of the man, Martial, +was almost the only thing that ruffled him. Martial had +constituted himself Miss Hamilton’s special attendant, +and though Nasmyth fancied Mrs. Acton connived at this, +it was by no means as evident that the girl was pleased +with it. Indeed, he surmised that she liked the man as +little as he did. Martial was brusque in mariner, and, +though that is not usually resented in British Columbia, +he now and then went even further than is considered +permissible in that country, and he had gained the sincere +dislike of the red-haired George, who acted as the <i>Tillicum’s</i> +deck-hand, cook, and skipper.</p> +<p>George sat upon the skylights sucking at his pipe, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_151' name='page_151'></a>151</span> +it presently became evident that his thoughts and +Nasmyth’s were very much alike. There was nobody else +on board, for the man who fired and drove the engines +was ashore.</p> +<p>“I guess you can catch trout?” the skipper remarked.</p> +<p>“Oh yes,” answered Nasmyth indifferently. “As a +matter of fact, I’ve had to, when there was very little else +to eat.”</p> +<p>George, who was big and lank, and truculent in appearance, +nodded.</p> +<p>“Juss so!” he rejoined. “You’ve been up against it +in the Bush. Anybody could figure on that by the look +of you and the way you use your hands. A city man +takes holds of things as if they were going to hurt him. +That’s kind of why I froze on to you.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth took this as a compliment, and smiled his +acknowledgment, for George was a privileged person, +and most of his recent companions held democratic views. +He, however, said nothing, and George went on again.</p> +<p>“Mrs. Acton’s a mighty smart woman, but she plays +some fool tricks,” he commented. “Where’s the blame +use in taking a boatload of folks after trout when none of +them but the boss knows how to fish?” Then he chuckled. +“You’d have gone with the rest this morning if +she wanted you to. Guess the gig would have carried +another one quite nicely.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth fancied that this was possible, though he naturally +would not admit it to his companion. The fact +that his hostess had somewhat cleverly contrived to leave +him behind had its significance, since it seemed to indicate +that she recognized that Miss Hamilton regarded +him with a certain amount of favour.</p> +<p>“Well,” said George reflectively, “the boss is quite +smart, too! Mrs. Acton crowded you out of the gig. +The boss says nothing, but he knocks off that blame +Martial. That makes the thing even, and, unless he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_152' name='page_152'></a>152</span> +does it, none of them gets any fish. Now, it kind of +seems to me that for a girl like Miss Hamilton to look at +a man like Martial is a throwing of herself away. I guess +it strikes you like that, too?”</p> +<p>This was rather too pointed a question for Nasmyth +to answer, but, so far as it went, he could readily have +agreed with the skipper. As a matter of fact it suggested +the query why he should object to Miss Hamilton throwing +herself away.</p> +<p>“Well,” he observed, “I’m not quite sure that it’s any +concern of mine.”</p> +<p>George’s grin was expressive of good-natured toleration. +“Oh!” he replied, “I guess that’s plain enough +for me. You’re not going to talk about the boss’s friends. +Still, one man’s as good as another in this country, and, if +I wasn’t way better than Martial, I’d drown myself. +That’s the kind of pernicious insect a decent man has +no use for. What’s he come on board for with three +bags ram full of clothes, when many a better man +humps his outfit up and down the Bush in an old blanket +same as you have done? It’s a sure thing that no man +with a conscience wants to get into the land agency business. +It’s an institution for selling greensuckers ranching +land that’s rock and gravel and virgin forest. Besides, I +heard the blame insect telling Miss Hamilton that nobody +not raised in the hog-pen could drink my coffee.”</p> +<p>It seemed to Nasmyth that there was a little reason in +the skipper’s observations, though he thought that Martial’s +strictures upon the coffee accounted for most of +them.</p> +<p>“I guess it might have been wiser if Martial had kept +on good terms with the skipper,” he laughingly rejoined.</p> +<p>George chuckled softly. “Well,” he declared, “when +anyone up and says my coffee’s only fit for the hog-pen, +I’m going to get even with him. I kind of feel I have +to. It’s up to me.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_153' name='page_153'></a>153</span></div> +<p>He said nothing further for some little time, and +Nasmyth, who fancied that he would sooner or later +carry out his amiable intentions, lay prone upon the deck +smoking placidly. Nasmyth was one who adapted himself +to his environment with readiness, and on board the +<i>Tillicum</i> the environment was particularly comfortable. +Through Acton’s hospitality, he was brought into contact +with the luxuries of civilization without the galling restraints. +Miss Hamilton had been gracious to him of +late. That was a cause for satisfaction in itself. The +days when he swung the heavy axe, or, drenched with icy +water, stood gripping the drill had slipped far away behind +him. For the time, at least, he could bask in the +sunshine with ears stopped against the shrill trumpet-call +to action that he had heard in the crash of rent trees and +the turmoil of the wild flood.</p> +<p>A faint cry came from the shore out of the stillness of +the woods, and George listened carefully.</p> +<p>“That can’t be the boss. Guess he’s stopping at the +hotel,” he said. “It’s quite likely it’s that blame insect +Martial coming back. Those ranchers he has been trying +to freeze off their holding have no use for him.”</p> +<p>The cry rose again, a trifle louder, and George nodded +complacently.</p> +<p>“Oh, yes,” he exulted, “it’s Martial sure! We’ll let +him howl. Any way, he can walk down the beach until +he’s abreast of us. When anybody expects me to hear +him, he has got to come within half a mile.”</p> +<p>It seemed to Nasmyth that Martial would not have a +pleasant walk in the dark, for most of the beach lay in +the black shadow of the pines, and beneath highwater +mark was covered with the roughest kind of boulders. +Above the tide-line, a ragged mass of driftwood interspersed +with undergrowth separated the water from the +tangled Bush. Both George and Nasmyth were aware +that one could readily tear one’s clothes to pieces in an +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_154' name='page_154'></a>154</span> +attempt to struggle through such a labyrinth. Judging +by the shouts he uttered at intervals, Martial appeared to +be floundering along the beach, and presently Nasmyth +laughed.</p> +<p>“He appears to be getting angry,” he said. “After all, +it’s only natural that he doesn’t want to sleep in the +woods all night.”</p> +<p>George filled his pipe, apparently with quiet satisfaction, +but, some time later, he stood up suddenly with an +exclamation.</p> +<p>“The blame contrary insect means swimming off,” he +announced.</p> +<p>Nasmyth, glancing shorewards, saw a dim white object +crawling on all-fours towards the water where the moonlight +streamed down upon a jutting point, and it was then +that the idea which had results that neither of them anticipated +first dawned on the skipper, who broke into a +hoarse chuckle.</p> +<p>“I guess he wouldn’t want Miss Hamilton to see him +like that,” he said. “Some folks look considerably +smarter with their clothes on.”</p> +<p>“How’s she going to see him when she isn’t here?”</p> +<p>George grinned again. “Her dresses are, so’s her hat +and her little mandolin. If you were pulled in tight +you’d have quite a figure.”</p> +<p>It was clear to Nasmyth that the scheme was workable, +though he was quite aware that the thing he was expected +to do was a trifle discreditable. Still, he had lived for +some time in the Bush, where his comrades’ jests were not +particularly delicate, and Martial once or twice had been +aggressively unpleasant to him. What was more to the +purpose, he felt reasonably sure that Miss Hamilton would +be by no means sorry to be free of Martial, and it was +probable that their victim would never relate his discomfiture, +if their scheme succeeded.</p> +<p>As the result of these reflections he went down with +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_155' name='page_155'></a>155</span> +George to the little saloon. The skipper, who left him +there a few minutes, came hack with an armful of feminine +apparel. They had no great difficulty in tying on +the big hat with the veil, but when Nasmyth had stripped +his jacket off there was some trouble over the next proceeding. +Indeed, Derrick did not feel quite comfortable +about appropriating Miss Hamilton’s garments, but he had +committed himself, and it was quite clear that his companion +would not appreciate his reasons for drawing back.</p> +<p>“Hold your breath while I get this blame hook in,” +said the skipper.</p> +<p>Nasmyth did so; but he could not continue to hold it +indefinitely, and in a few moments there was a suggestive +crack, and George desisted in evident dismay.</p> +<p>“Come adrift from the stiffening quite a strip of it,” he +said. “Well, I guess I can somehow fix the thing up so +as nobody will notice it. It should be easier than putting +a new cloth in a topsail, and I’ve a mending outfit in the +locker.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth was by no means sure of George’s ability to +make the damage good, but he permitted the skipper to +tie on the loose skirt, and then to hang the beribboned +mandolin round his neck. When this was done George +surveyed him with a grin of satisfaction.</p> +<p>“Well,” said George, “I guess you’ll do. Now you’ll +keep behind the skylights, and only get up and bang that +mandolin when Martial wants to come on board. Guess +when he sees you he’ll feel ’most like jumping right out +of his skin. Miss Hamilton’s not going to mind. I’ve +seen her looking at him as if she’d like to stick a big hatpin +into him.”</p> +<p>They went up, and Nasmyth, who felt guilty as he +crouched in the shadow, could see a black head and the +flash of a white arm that swung out into the moonlight +and disappeared again. Martial was swimming pluckily, +and the tide was with him, for his head grew larger every +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_156' name='page_156'></a>156</span> +minute, and presently the gleam of his skin became visible +through the pale shining of the brine. His face dipped as +his left arm came out at every stroke, and the water +frothed as his feet swung together like a flail. He paddled +easily while the tide swept him on until he reached +the <i>Tillicum</i>. Then his voice rose, breathless and cautious.</p> +<p>“Anchor watch,” he called. “Anybody else on +board?”</p> +<p>George, who kept out of sight, did not answer. Martial +called again.</p> +<p>“Don’t let anybody out of the companion while I get +up,” he commanded.</p> +<p>The <i>Tillicum</i> had a high sheer forward, and he could +not reach her rail, but as the tide swept him along he +raised himself to clutch at it where it was lower abreast +of the skylights.</p> +<p>“Now,” said George softly, “you can play the band.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth rose and swept his knife-haft across the +strings of the mandolin. For a moment he saw something +like horror in Martial’s wet face, and then the man, +who gasped, went down headforemost into the water. +Martial was nearly a dozen yards astern when his head +came out again, and he slid away with the tide, with his +white arm swinging furiously. George sat down upon +the deck, and expressed his satisfaction by drumming his +feet upon the planking while he laughed.</p> +<p>“He’s off,” he said. “Might have a high-power +engine inside of him. Guess he’s going to scare those +schooner men ’most out of their lives. It’s quite likely +they won’t keep anchor watch when they’re lying snug +in a place of this kind.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth managed to control his laughter, and went +down to divest himself of his draperies. When he came +up again, George reported that he had just seen Martial +crawling up the schooner’s cable, and in another few moments +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_157' name='page_157'></a>157</span> +what appeared to be a howl of terror rose from the +vessel. It was not repeated, and shortly afterwards +Nasmyth went to sleep.</p> +<p>Martial remained on board the schooner that night, +and Nasmyth was not surprised when he failed to appear +next morning. Acton had come back with his party when +a man dropped into the boat astern of the schooner, and +pulled towards the <i>Tillicum</i> leisurely. Everybody was +on deck when he slid alongside, and, standing up in his +boat, laid hold of the rail.</p> +<p>“I’ve a message for Mr. Acton,” he said, holding up +a strip of paper.</p> +<p>Acton, who took the paper from him, was a trifle perplexed +when he glanced at it.</p> +<p>“It seems that Martial didn’t stay at that ranch last +night as I thought he had done,” he remarked.</p> +<p>Mrs. Acton, who sat next to Miss Hamilton, looked +up sharply. She was a tall woman with an authoritative +manner.</p> +<p>“Where is he?” she inquired.</p> +<p>“Gone back to Victoria,” said her husband, who +handed her the note. “It’s kind of sudden, and he doesn’t +worry about saying why he went. There’s a little remark +at the bottom that I don’t quite like.”</p> +<p>George naturally had been listening, and Nasmyth +saw his subdued grin, but he saw also Mrs. Acton’s quick +glance at Miss Hamilton, which seemed to suggest that +she surmised the girl could explain why Martial had departed +so unceremoniously. There was, however, only astonishment, +and, Nasmyth fancied, a trace of relief in +Violet Hamilton’s face. Mrs. Acton turned to her husband +with a flush of resentment in her eyes.</p> +<p>“I should scarcely have believed Mr. Martial would +ever write such a note,” she said. “What does he mean +when he says that he does not appreciate being left to +sleep in the woods all night?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_158' name='page_158'></a>158</span></div> +<p>“That,” answered Acton, “is what I don’t quite understand. +If he’d hailed anchor watch loud enough, +George would have gone off for him. Still, we’re lying +quite a way out from the beach.”</p> +<p>Then he remembered the man from the schooner, who +still gripped the rail.</p> +<p>“How did you come to get this note?” he asked.</p> +<p>“The man who came off last night gave it to the skipper,” +said the schooner’s deck-hand with a very suggestive +grin.</p> +<p>“How’d he come off?” Acton asked. “Did you go +ashore for him?”</p> +<p>“We didn’t!” said the man. “He must have swum +off and crawled up the cable. Any way, when he struck +the skipper he hadn’t any clothes on him.”</p> +<p>There was a little murmur of astonishment, and Mrs. +Acton straightened herself suddenly, while Nasmyth saw +a gleam of amusement creep into Acton’s eyes. The +schooner man evidently felt that he had an interested +audience, for he leaned upon the rail as he began to tell +all he knew about the incident.</p> +<p>“I was asleep forward, when the skipper howled as +if he was most scared out of his life,” he said. “I got +up out of the scuttle just as quick as I could, and there +he was crawling round behind the stern-house with an +axe in his hand, and the mate flat up against the rail.</p> +<p>“‘Shut that slide quick,’ says the skipper. ‘Shut it. +He’s crawling up the ladder.’</p> +<p>“‘I guess you can shut it yourself if you want it shut.’ +He asked for whisky. ‘Tell him where it is,’ says the +mate.”</p> +<p>There was no doubt that the listeners were interested, +and the man made an impressive gesture. “It was kind +of scaring. There was a soft flippety-flop going on in the +stern-house, and I slipped out a handspike. Then the +skipper sees me.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_159' name='page_159'></a>159</span></div> +<p>“‘There’s a drowned man crawling round the cabin +with water running off him,’ he says.</p> +<p>“Then a head came out of the scuttle and a wet arm, +and a voice that didn’t sound quite like a drowned man’s +says, ‘Oh you–––’”</p> +<p>Acton raised his arm restrainingly, and the narrator +made a sign of comprehension.</p> +<p>“He called us fools,” the man explained, “and for +’most a minute the skipper was going to take the axe to +him. Then he hove it at the mate for being scared instead, +and they all went down together, and I heard them +light the stove. After that I went back and dropped off +to sleep, and the skipper sent me off at sun-up to fetch +the stranger’s clothes. We set him ashore as soon as he’d +got some breakfast into him.”</p> +<p>The man rowed away in another minute or two, and, +as he had evidently told his story with a relish, Nasmyth +wondered whether Martial had contrived to offend him +by endeavouring to purchase his silence. There are, of +course, men one can offer a dollar to on that coast, but +such an act requires a certain amount of circumspection.</p> +<p>Acton’s eyes twinkled, and the men who were his +guests looked at one another meaningly.</p> +<p>“Well,” answered one of them, “I guess there is an explanation, +though I didn’t think Martial was that kind +of man.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth said nothing, but he saw Mrs. Acton’s face +flush with anger and disdain, and surmised that it was +most unlikely that she would forgive the unfortunate +Martial. The women in the party evidently felt that +it would not be advisable to say anything further about +the matter, and when George broke out the anchor the +<i>Tillicum</i> steamed away.</p> +<p>It was after supper that night, and there was nobody +except the helmsman on deck, when Miss Hamilton approached +the forward scuttle where Nasmyth sat with his +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_160' name='page_160'></a>160</span> +pipe in his hand. Nasmyth rose and spread out an old +sail for her, and she sat down a little apart from him. +The <i>Tillicum</i> was steaming northwards at a leisurely +six knots, with her mastheads swaying rhythmically +through the soft darkness, and a deep-toned gurgling at +her bows. By-and-by Nasmyth became conscious that +Miss Hamilton was looking at him, and, on the whole, +he was glad that it was too dark for her to see him very +well.</p> +<p>“I wonder if you were very much astonished at what +you heard about Mr. Martial?” she asked.</p> +<p>“Well,” said Nasmyth reflectively, “in one way at +least, I certainly was. You see, I did not think Martial +was, as our friend observed, that kind of man. In fact, +I may admit that I feel reasonably sure of it still.”</p> +<p>“I suppose you felt you owed him that?”</p> +<p>“I didn’t want to leave you under a misapprehension.”</p> +<p>There was silence for half a minute, and then Nasmyth +turned towards the girl again.</p> +<p>“You are still a little curious about the affair?” he +suggested.</p> +<p>“I am. I may mention that I found a certain dress +of mine, which I do not remember tearing, had evidently +been repaired by somebody quite unaccustomed to that +kind of thing. Now there were, of course, only the skipper +and yourself on board while we were away.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth felt his face grow hot. “Well,” he replied, +“if it’s any consolation to you, I am quite prepared, in one +respect at least, to vindicate Martial’s character. In any +case, I think I shall have an interview with Mrs. Acton +to-morrow.”</p> +<p>His heart beat a little faster, for the girl laughed.</p> +<p>“It really wouldn’t be any consolation at all to me,” +she admitted.</p> +<p>“Ah,” said Nasmyth, “then, although you may have +certain fancies, you are not dreadfully vexed with me?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_161' name='page_161'></a>161</span></div> +<p>Violet Hamilton appeared to reflect. “Considering +everything, I almost think you can be forgiven.”</p> +<p>After that, they talked about other matters for at least +an hour, while the <i>Tillicum</i>, with engines throbbing +softly, crept on through the darkness, and Acton, who +happened to notice them as he lounged under the companion +scuttle with a cigar in his hand, smiled significantly. +Acton had a liking for Nasmyth, and though he +was not sure that Mrs. Acton would have been pleased +had she known where Miss Hamilton was, the matter +was, he reflected, after all, no concern of his.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_162' name='page_162'></a>162</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVI_ACTONS_WARNING' id='CHAPTER_XVI_ACTONS_WARNING'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> +<h3>ACTON’S WARNING</h3> +</div> +<p>It was with somewhat natural misgivings, the next +afternoon, that Nasmyth strolled forward along the +<i>Tillicum’s</i> deck toward the place where Mrs. Acton was +sitting. Immaculately dressed, as usual, she reclined in +a canvas chair with a book, which she had been reading, +upon her knee. As Nasmyth approached her he became +conscious that she was watching him with a curious expression +in her keen, dark eyes. The steamer had dropped +anchor in a little land-locked bay, and Nasmyth had +just come back in the dinghy, after rowing one or two +of the party ashore. Mrs. Acton indicated with a movement +of her hand that he might sit upon the steamer’s +rail, and then, turning towards him, looked at him steadily. +She was a woman of commanding personality, and imperiously +managed her husband’s social affairs. If he +had permitted it, she probably would have undertaken, +also, to look after his commercial interests.</p> +<p>“I wonder why you decided not to visit the Indian +settlement with the others?” she inquired.</p> +<p>Nasmyth smiled. “I have been in many places of the +kind,” he answered. “Besides, there is something I +think I ought to tell you.”</p> +<p>“I almost fancied that was the case.”</p> +<p>“Then I wonder if you have connected me with Martial’s +disappearance?”</p> +<p>“I may admit that my husband evidently has.”</p> +<p>“He told you, then?” And Nasmyth realized next +moment that the faint astonishment he had displayed +was not altogether tactful.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_163' name='page_163'></a>163</span></div> +<p>“No,” said Mrs. Acton, with a smile, “he did not. +That was, I think, what made me more sure of it. James +Acton can maintain a judicious silence when it appears +advisable, and there are signs that he rather likes +you.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth bowed. “I should be very pleased to hear +that you shared his views in this respect,” he observed.</p> +<p>“I am, in the meanwhile, somewhat naturally rather +uncertain upon the point,” she returned.</p> +<p>“Well,” confessed Nasmyth humbly, “I believe I am +largely responsible for your guest’s sudden disappearance. +It was, of course, almost inexcusable, and I could not complain +if you were very angry with me.”</p> +<p>“I should, at least, like to know exactly what you +did.”</p> +<p>“That,” said Nasmyth, “is a thing I would sooner +you did not urge me to explain. After all, I feel I +have done Martial sufficient injury, and I do not think he +would like you to know. There are,” he added somewhat +diffidently, “one or two other reasons why I should +prefer not to say anything further, but I would like to +assure you that the explanation one of your friends suggested +is not the correct one. I ventured to make this, +at least, clear to Miss Hamilton.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Acton regarded him with a suggestive smile. +“Mr. Martial was not effusively pleasant to you. The +affair was premeditated?”</p> +<p>“My one excuse is that the thing was done on the +spur of the moment. I should never have undertaken +it if I had reflected.” Nasmyth made a gesture of submission. +“I am in your hands.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Acton sat silent for perhaps a minute gazing at +the woods that swept round three sides of the little +bay. Great cedars and pines and hemlocks rolled down +to the water’s edge, and the stretch of smooth green brine +between them and the steamer flashed like a mirror.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_164' name='page_164'></a>164</span></div> +<p>“Well,” she said, after a long pause, “I must admit +that at first I was angry with you. Now”––and her +eyes grew a bit scornful––“I am angry with Martial, +instead. In fact, I think I shall wash my hands of him. +I have no sympathy with a man who allows himself to be +placed in a ludicrously painful position that reflects upon +his friends.”</p> +<p>“Especially when he has the privilege of your particular +favour,” added Nasmyth.</p> +<p>Mrs. Acton laughed. “That,” she returned, “was +a daring observation. It, at least, laid a certain obligation +on Martial to prove it warranted, which he has signally +failed to do. I presume you know why he took some +little pains to make himself unpleasant to you?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth fancied that she was really angry with Martial, +and that he understood her attitude. She was a +capable, strong-willed woman, and had constituted herself +the ally of the unfortunate man who had brought +discredit on her by permitting himself to be shamefully +driven from the field. It was also evident that she resented +the fact that a guest from her husband’s yacht +should have been concerned in any proceedings of the +nature that the schooner’s deck-hand had described.</p> +<p>“I think I suspect why he was not cordial to me,” +Nasmyth admitted. “Still, the inference is so flattering +that one would naturally feel a little diffident about believing +that Martial’s suppositions were correct.”</p> +<p>“That,” replied Mrs. Acton, “was tactfully expressed.” +She looked at the young man fixedly, and her +next remark was characterized by the disconcerting frankness +which is not unusual in the West. “Mr. Nasmyth,” +she said, “unless you have considerable means of your +own, it would be wiser of you to put any ideas of the +kind you have hinted at right out of your head.”</p> +<p>“I might, perhaps, ask you for one or two reasons +why I should adopt the course you suggest.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_165' name='page_165'></a>165</span></div> +<p>“You shall have them. Violet Hamilton is a lady +with possessions, and I look upon her as a ward of my +own. Any way, her father and mother are dead, and +they were my dearest friends.”</p> +<p>“Ah,” agreed Nasmyth, “that naturally renders caution +advisable. Well, I am in possession of three or four +hundred dollars, and a project which I would like to +believe may result to my advantage financially. Still, +that is a thing I cannot be very sure about.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Acton gazed at him thoughtfully. “Your uncle +is a man of means.”</p> +<p>“I believe he is. He may put three or four thousand +dollars into the venture I mention, if he continues pleased +with me. That is, I think, the most I could expect +from him.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Acton sat silent a while, and, though Nasmyth was +not aware of it, favoured him with one or two glances of +careful scrutiny. He was, as she had naturally noticed, +a well-favoured man, and the flannels and straw hat +he wore were becoming to him. What was more to the +purpose, there was a certain graceful easiness in his voice +and manner which were not characteristic of most of her +husband’s friends. Indeed, well-bred poise was not a characteristic +of her own, though she recognized her lack. The +polish that she coveted suggested an acquaintance with a +world that she had not as yet succeeded in persuading her +husband to enter. Acton was, from her point of view, regrettably +contented with his commercial status in the new +and crudely vigorous West.</p> +<p>“Well,” she remarked thoughtfully, “none of us knows +what there is in the future, and there are signs that you +have intelligence and grit in you.” Then she dismissed +the subject. “I think you might take me for a row,” +she said.</p> +<p>Nasmyth pulled the dinghy alongside, and rowed her up +and down the bay, but his intelligence was, after all, not +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_166' name='page_166'></a>166</span> +sufficient for him to recognize the cleverness with which +she led him on to talk about his uncle and England. He +was not aware that he had been particularly communicative, +but when he rowed back to the yacht Mrs. Acton +was in possession of a great deal of information that was +more or less satisfying.</p> +<p>The <i>Tillicum</i> steamed away again when the remainder +of the party arrived, and she was leisurely swinging over +a little froth-flecked sea that night, with the spray flying +at her bows, when Acton came upon Nasmyth leaning on +the rail.</p> +<p>“I wasn’t quite certain what view Mrs. Acton might +take of Martial’s disappearance,” said Acton. “Just now, +however, I think that she is rather pleased with you.”</p> +<p>“The fact,” replied Nasmyth, “is naturally a cause +for satisfaction.”</p> +<p>Acton appeared amused. “Well,” he said, “to some +extent it depends upon what views she has for you. Mrs. +Acton is a capable woman.”</p> +<p>Acton strolled forward, leaving Nasmyth thoughtful. +The hint was reasonably plain, but the younger man was +not quite sure that he would be willing to fall in with the +strong-willed woman’s views. There was no doubt that +Violet Hamilton attracted him––he admitted that without +hesitation––for she had grace and wit and beauty, +but she had, also, large possessions, which might prove a +serious obstacle. Besides, he was sensible of a tenderness +for the woman who had given him shelter and a great +deal more than that in the lonely Bush. Laura, however, +was still in the wilderness, and Miss Hamilton, whose +society he found very pleasant, was then on board the +<i>Tillicum</i>, facts that had their significance in the case of +a man liable to be swayed by the impulses of the moment. +By-and-by, he started, for while he thought about her, +Miss Hamilton came out of the little companion-way, and +stood looking round her, with her long light dress rustling +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_167' name='page_167'></a>167</span> +in the breeze, until she moved forward as her eyes rested +on him.</p> +<p>Nasmyth fancied that there was a particular significance +in the fact that she appeared just then. He walked to +meet her, and, drawing a low canvas chair into the shelter +of the skylights, sat down with his back against them close +at her feet. He did not remember what they talked about, +and it was in all probability nothing very material, but +they had already discovered that they had kindred views +and likes, and they sat close together in the shelter of the +skylights with a bright half-moon above them, while the +<i>Tillicum</i> lurched on over a glittering sea. Both of them +were surprised to discover that an hour had slipped by +when their companions came up on deck, and Nasmyth +was once more thoughtful before he went to sleep that +night.</p> +<p>Next day the <i>Tillicum</i> brought up off a little mining +town, and George, who went ashore, came back with +several letters. Among the letters was a note for Nasmyth +from a man interested in land exploitation. This man, +with whom Nasmyth had been in communication, was +then in the mining town, and he suggested that Nasmyth +should call upon him at his hotel. Nasmyth showed +Acton the letter.</p> +<p>“I understand these folks are straight?” the younger +man remarked with inquiry in his tone.</p> +<p>Acton smiled dryly. “Any way,” he said, “they’re as +straight as most. It’s not a business that’s conducive to +unswerving rectitude. Hutton has come up here to see +you about the thing?”</p> +<p>“He says he has some other business.”</p> +<p>“Well,” replied Acton, “perhaps he has.” Then he +turned to Wisbech, who sat close by. “I’ll go ashore +with Nasmyth. Will you come along?”</p> +<p>“No,” said Wisbech; “I almost think I’ll stay where +I am. If Derrick can hold out any reasonable prospect +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_168' name='page_168'></a>168</span> +of making interest on the money, it’s quite possible I +may put three or four thousand dollars into the thing, +but I go no further. It’s his affair. He must handle it +himself.”</p> +<p>Acton nodded. “That’s sensible, in one way,” he declared, +and one could have fancied there was a certain +suggestiveness in the qualification.</p> +<p>Wisbech appeared to notice it, for he looked hard +at Acton. Then he made an abrupt gesture.</p> +<p>“It’s my nephew’s affair,” he said.</p> +<p>“Oh, yes!” returned Acton, significantly. “Any way, +I’ll go ashore with him, as soon as George has the gig +ready.”</p> +<p>Acton and Nasmyth were rowed off together half an +hour later, and they walked up through the hot main +street of the little colliery town. It was not an attractive +place, with rickety plank sidewalks raised several +feet above the street, towering telegraph-poles, wooden +stores, and square frame houses cracked by the weather, +and mostly destitute of any adornment or paint. Blazing +sunshine beat down upon the rutted street, and an unpleasant +gritty dust blew along it.</p> +<p>There was evidently very little going on in the town +that afternoon. Here and there a man leaned heavy-eyed, +as if unaccustomed to the brightness, on the balustrade +in front of a store, and raucous voices rose from +one or two second-rate saloons, but there were few other +signs of life, and Nasmyth was not sorry when they +reached the wooden hotel. Acton stopped a moment in +front of the building.</p> +<p>“Hutton’s an acquaintance of mine, and if you have +to apply to men of his kind, he is, perhaps, as reliable +as most,” he said. “Still, you want to remember that +in this country it’s every man for himself, especially +when you undertake a deal in land.” He smiled suggestively. +“And now we’ll go in and see him.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_169' name='page_169'></a>169</span></div> +<p>They came upon a man who appeared a little older +than Nasmyth. He was sitting on the veranda, which was +spacious, and had one or two wooden pillars with crude +scroll-work attached to them in front. Acton nodded to +the stranger.</p> +<p>“This is Mr. Nasmyth,” he said. “He came up with +me. Doing much round here?”</p> +<p>The question was abrupt, but the man smiled.</p> +<p>“Oh,” he answered, “we endeavour to do a little +everywhere.”</p> +<p>“Then I’ll leave you to it, and look round again +by-and-by. I guess I may as well mention that Mr. +Nasmyth is coming back with me.”</p> +<p>Acton looked hard at Hutton, who smiled again. +“Oh, yes,” replied Hutton, “I understand that. It’s +quite likely we’ll have the thing fixed up in half an hour +or so. A cigar, Mr. Nasmyth?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth took a cigar, and went with Hutton to the +little table which had been set out, on the inner side of +the veranda, with a carafe of ice-water and a couple of +bottles. They sat down at it, and Hutton took out two +letters and glanced at them.</p> +<p>“Now,” he said, “we’ll get to work. I understand +your proposition is to run the water out of the Cedar +Valley. What’s the area?”</p> +<p>“About four thousand acres available for ranching +land, though it has never been surveyed.”</p> +<p>“And you want to take up as many acres beforehand +as you can, and can’t quite raise the capital?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth said that was very much the state of affairs, +and Hutton drummed his fingers on the table. He was +a lean-faced man, dressed quietly and precisely, in city +fashion, but he wore a big stone in a ring on one hand, +which for no very evident reason prejudiced his companion +against him.</p> +<p>“Well,” he averred, “we might consider going into +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_170' name='page_170'></a>170</span> +the thing and finding part of the capital. It’s our business, +but naturally we would want to be remunerated for the +risk. It’s rather a big one. You see, you would have +to take up the whole four thousand acres.”</p> +<p>“Then,” replied Nasmyth, “what’s your proposition?”</p> +<p>“We’ll put up what money you can’t raise, and our +surveyor will locate land at present first-class Crown +land figure. We’ll charge you bank rate until the land’s +made marketable when you have run the water out. In +a general way, that’s my idea of the thing.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth laid down his cigar and looked at him. “Isn’t +it a little exorbitant? You get the land at cost value, +and a heavy charge on that, while I do the work?”</p> +<p>Hutton laughed. “Well,” he said, “it’s money we’re +out for, and unless you take it all up, your claim’s no +good. Anybody else could jump right in and buy a few +hundred acres. Then he could locate water rights and +stop you running down the river, unless you bought him +out.”</p> +<p>“The difficulty is that the Crown authorities haven’t +been selling land lately, and would sooner lease. They +seem inclined to admit that this is a somewhat exceptional +case; in fact, they have granted me one or two +privileges.”</p> +<p>“What you would call a first option?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth remembered Acton’s manner when he had +mentioned his acquaintance with his companion, and +one or two things he had said.</p> +<p>“No,” he said, “not exactly that. I merely mentioned +certain privileges.”</p> +<p>“Then, what’s to stop me or anybody going right +down to Victoria and buying the whole thing up to-morrow?”</p> +<p>“I’m inclined to fancy you would discover one or two +things that would make it difficult,” answered Nasmyth +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_171' name='page_171'></a>171</span> +dryly. “For another thing, I hardly think you would +get any of the regular rock-cutting or mine-sinking +people to undertake the work about the fall at a figure +that wouldn’t make the risk too big. It’s not a place +that lends itself to modern methods or the use of machinery. +Besides, after approaching you to a certain extent +in confidence, it wouldn’t be quite the thing.”</p> +<p>Hutton waved the hand which bore the ring. “Well,” +he said, “we’ll get back to our original offer. If it +isn’t good enough, how much more do you want?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth explained his views, and they discussed each +proposition point by point, gradually drawing nearer to +an agreement. Nasmyth was quite aware that in a matter +of this kind the man who provides the capital usually +takes the lion’s share, but, after all, the project was his, +and he naturally wanted something for himself. At +length Hutton leaned forward with both elbows on the +table, and a certain intentness in his lean face.</p> +<p>“Now,” he said, “I’ve gone just about as far as I +can. You have either got to close with my proposition +or let it go.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth said nothing, and there was silence for almost +a minute while he lay back in his chair gazing at +the weather-cracked front of the store across the street, +and thinking hard. There was, he was quite aware, a +very arduous task in front of him––one that he shrank +from at times, for it could only be by strenuous toil +that he could succeed in lowering the level of the river, +and it was clear that if he accepted Mutton’s offer, his +share of the proceeds would not be a large one. Still, +he must have more capital than he could see the means +of raising, and once or twice he was on the point of +signifying his concurrence. His face grew grimmer, and +he straightened himself a trifle, but he did not see that +the man who could supply the money was watching him +with a smile.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_172' name='page_172'></a>172</span></div> +<p>Then it seemed to Nasmyth that he heard a footstep +in the room behind him, but it was not particularly +noticeable, and Hutton touched his arm.</p> +<p>“Well,” said the promoter, “I’ll just run over our +terms again.” He did so rapidly, and added: “If that +doesn’t take you, we’ll call it off.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth made a gesture which was vaguely expressive +of resignation, and in another moment would have closed +the bargain, but the footsteps grew plainer, and, as he +turned round, Acton appeared at the open window close +behind them. He stood still, looking at them with amusement +in his shrewd eyes, and then, stepping out, dropped +heavily into the nearest chair.</p> +<p>“Not through yet? I want a drink,” he said.</p> +<p>It was probably not often that Hutton was disconcerted, +but Nasmyth saw his fingers close sharply on +his cigar, which crumpled under them, and that appeared +significant to him. Acton looked round again as he filled +his glass.</p> +<p>“When you’re ready we’ll go along,” he suggested. +“You can worry out anything Hutton has put before you +to-night. When I’ve a matter of consequence on hand, +I generally like to sleep on it.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth rose and turned to Hutton. “I don’t want +to keep Mr. Acton, and I’m afraid I can’t decide just +yet,” he said. “I’ll let you know when I make up my +mind.”</p> +<p>Hutton made a sign of concurrence, but there was a +suggestive frown on his face, when he leaned upon the +balustrade, as Nasmyth and Acton went down the stairway +together. When they were half-way down the street, +Acton looked at Nasmyth with a dry smile.</p> +<p>“Well,” he commented, “you have still got most of +the wool on you?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth laughed, but there was relief in his voice.</p> +<p>“I was very nearly doing what I think would have +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_173' name='page_173'></a>173</span> +been an unwise thing,” he said. “It was fortunate you +came along when you did.”</p> +<p>Acton waved his hand. “I’m open to admit that Hutton +has a voice like a boring bit. It would go through +a door, any way. It’s a thing he ought to remember.”</p> +<p>“There is still a point or two I am not very clear +upon;” and Nasmyth looked at him steadily.</p> +<p>Acton smiled again. “The fact is, Mrs. Acton gave +me some instructions concerning you. She said I was to +see you through.” He made an expressive gesture. “She +seemed to figure it might be advisable.”</p> +<p>“Well,” said Nasmyth reflectively, “I fancy she was +right.”</p> +<p>They said nothing further, but Nasmyth was unusually +thoughtful as they proceeded towards the water-front.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_174' name='page_174'></a>174</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVII_AN_EVENTFUL_DAY' id='CHAPTER_XVII_AN_EVENTFUL_DAY'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> +<h3>AN EVENTFUL DAY</h3> +</div> +<p>It was about eleven o’clock on a cloudy, unsettled morning +when Nasmyth stood knee-deep in a swirling river-pool, +holding a landing-net and watching Miss Hamilton, +who stood on a neighbouring bank of shingle with a light +trout-rod in her hand. The rod was bent, and the thin +line, which was drawn tense and rigid, ripped through +the surface of the pool, while there was also a suggestion +of tension in the pose of the girl’s figure. She was gazing +at the moving line, with a fine crimson in her cheeks and +a brightness in her eyes.</p> +<p>“Oh,” she cried, “I’m afraid I’m going to lose it, +after all.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth smiled reassuringly. “Keep the butt well +down, and your thumb upon the reel,” he continued. +“You have only to keep on a steady strain.”</p> +<p>A big silvery object broke the surface a dozen yards +away, and then, while the reel clinked, went down again; +but the line was moving towards Nasmyth now, and, in +another minute or two, he flung a sharp warning at the +girl as he made a sweep with the net. Then he floundered +ashore, dripping, with the gleaming trout, which he laid +at her feet.</p> +<p>“You ran that fish very well,” he told her. “In fact, +there were one or two moments when I never expected +you to hold it.”</p> +<p>The colour grew a little plainer in his companion’s +face, though whether this was due to his commendation +or to elation at her own success was a question. As she +had just caught her first big fish, it was, perhaps, the +latter.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_175' name='page_175'></a>175</span></div> +<p>“Oh,” she said complacently, “it isn’t so very difficult +after all. But I wonder what can have become of the +others of our party?”</p> +<p>It was at least an hour since Nasmyth had last seen +their companions considerably lower down the river. He +and Miss Hamilton had pushed on ahead of them into the +Bush, which was a thing they had fallen into the habit +of doing. The girl sat down on a boulder and seemed +to be listening, but there was nothing to indicate the +presence of any of the party. Except for the murmur +of the river and the sighing among the pine-sprays high +overhead, the Bush was very still, but it seemed to Nasmyth +that there was more wind than there had been.</p> +<p>“I suppose we had better go back to them,” observed +the girl. The manner in which she spoke conveyed the +impression that she would have been more or less contented +to stay where she was with him; but next moment +she added: “After all, they have the lunch with them, +and it must have been seven o’clock when we breakfasted.”</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Nasmyth, “I think it was. Still, until +this minute I had quite forgotten it.”</p> +<p>“I certainly hadn’t,” said Violet Hamilton. “I don’t +think I ever had breakfast at seven o’clock in my life +until this morning.”</p> +<p>The fact had its significance to Nasmyth. It was +one of the many little things that emphasized the difference +between his life and hers, but he brushed it out +of his mind, and they went back together down the waterside. +Their progress was slow, for there was no trail +at all, and while they laboriously plodded over the shingle, +or crept in and out among the thickets, the wail of the +breeze grew louder. Half an hour had passed when the +faint hoot of the <i>Tillicum’s</i> whistle reached them among +the trees.</p> +<p>“What can the skipper be whistling for?” asked the +girl.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_176' name='page_176'></a>176</span></div> +<p>“I fancy the wind is setting inshore moderately fresh, +and he wants us to come off before it roughens the water,” +said Nasmyth.</p> +<p>They went on as fast as possible after that, though +it was remarkably rough travelling; but they saw no +sign of their companions, and the whistle, which had +shrieked again, was silent, which evidently meant that the +gig had already gone off. When they reached the inlet +the river fell into, and found only the <i>Tillicum’s</i> dinghy +lying on the shingle, Nasmyth, looking down the lane +of smooth green water somewhat anxiously, noticed that +the sea was flecked with white. The <i>Tillicum</i>, as he remembered, +was also lying well out from the beach.</p> +<p>“We had better get off at once,” he said. “The +breeze is freshening, and this dinghy isn’t very big.”</p> +<p>He helped the girl into the boat, and when he had +thrust the little craft off sent her flying down the riband +of sheltered water; but he set his lips and braced himself +for an effort when they slid out past a point of froth-lapped +shingle. There was already a white-topped sea running, +and the spray from the oar-blades and the dinghy’s bows +blew aft into his companion’s face in stinging wisps as he +drove the plunging craft over it. Now and then an odd +bucketful of brine came in and hit him on the back, while +Miss Hamilton, who commenced to get very wet, shivered +and drew her feet up as the water gathered deeper in the +bottom of the boat.</p> +<p>“I’m afraid I must ask you to throw some of that +water out,” he said. “There is a can to scoop it up +with.”</p> +<p>The girl made an attempt to do so, but it was not +surprising that in a few minutes, when the dinghy lurched +viciously, she let the can slip from her fingers. Nasmyth +set his lips tighter, and his face was anxious as he glanced +over his shoulder. The sea was white-flecked between +him and the <i>Tillicum</i>, which lay rolling wildly farther +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_177' name='page_177'></a>177</span> +down the beach, at least half a mile away. It already +taxed all Nasmyth’s strength to drive the dinghy off +shore, and every sea that broke a little more sharply than +the rest splashed into the boat. He held on for another +few minutes, glancing over his shoulder and pulling +cautiously, for it was evident that he might fill the dinghy +up or roll her over if he failed to swing neatly over the +crest of some tumbling comber. In spite of his efforts, +a wave broke on board, and sitting ankle-deep in water, +he waited until there was a slightly smoother patch in +front of him, and then swung the dinghy round.</p> +<p>“I’m afraid we’ll have to make for the beach,” he announced.</p> +<p>He would have preferred to head for the inlet, but +that would have brought the little white seas, which +were rapidly getting steeper, dangerously on her beam, +and the thrust of one beneath her side probably would +have been sufficient to turn the diminutive craft over. +He accordingly pulled straight for the beach before the +wind, and the perspiration dripped from his set face as +he strove to hold the dinghy straight, when, with the foam +boiling white about her, she swung up on the crest of a +comber. Once or twice Nasmyth glanced at Violet Hamilton +reassuringly, but she sat, half-crouching, against +the transom, gazing forward, white in face, with her wet +hair whipping about her. Nasmyth had not noticed it +before, but her hat had evidently gone over. Speech was +out of the question. He wanted all his breath, and recognized +that it was not advisable to divert his attention for +a moment from his task, for it depends very largely upon +the man at the oars whether a diminutive dinghy keeps +right side uppermost in any weight of breeze. Once or +twice he risked a glance at the approaching land.</p> +<p>Sombre forest rolled down to the water’s edge, and +he could see that there was already a broad ribbon of +frothy whiteness beneath it, while so far as he had noticed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_178' name='page_178'></a>178</span> +that beach consisted of rock ledges and very large boulders. +It was about the last place he would have chosen to make +a landing on, in a light and fragile dinghy.</p> +<p>After that, he looked resolutely astern over his companion’s +shoulders as she swung up between him and +the sea with the slate-green ridges and tumbling white +tops of the combers behind her. At length a hazarded +glance showed him that they were close inshore, and he +wondered for a moment whether he could swing the dinghy +round without rolling the boat over. He did not think it +could be done, and set his lips as he let her go, careering +on a comber’s crest, with at least half her length out of +the water.</p> +<p>Then there was a white upheaval close alongside, and +for a moment a black mass of stone appeared amidst the +leaping foam. They swept by it, and he gasped with relief +as he looked at Miss Hamilton.</p> +<p>“Get hold of me when she strikes,” he said.</p> +<p>The dinghy swung round, twisting broadside-on with +the brine pouring into her in spite of all that he could +do; and while he tore at one oar, another white sea that +curled menacingly rose up astern. It broke right into the +boat, and in another moment there was a crash, and Nasmyth, +who let the oars drop, stretched out his arms to +the girl. He jumped when she clutched him, and found +himself standing amid the swirling froth on what seemed +to be a ledge of very slippery stone, with both arms about +her, while the crushed-in dinghy swept up among the +foam-lapped boulders. He sprang down from the stone +as another sea came in, and floundered ashore waist-deep +with it, after which he set his dripping companion down +upon the beach.</p> +<p>“I’m afraid you’re rather wet,” he said, when he got +his breath again. “Still, I really couldn’t help it. There +was a good deal more sea than I had expected.”</p> +<p>Miss Hamilton, who sat down on a boulder with the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_179' name='page_179'></a>179</span> +water dripping from her skirt, looked ruefully at him and +the dinghy, which was rolling over in the surf.</p> +<p>“How are we going to get off?” she inquired.</p> +<p>“Not in that dinghy, any way,” answered Nasmyth. +“She has knocked all one bilge in. They’ll probably +send the <i>Tillicum’s</i> gig ashore for us by-and-by.”</p> +<p>“But she’s going away!” said the girl, with a gasp +of consternation.</p> +<p>Nasmyth, who turned round, saw that this was certainly +the case. A cloud of steam blew away from beside +the yacht’s funnel, and in another moment the shriek of +a whistle reached him.</p> +<p>“I don’t think we need worry about that,” he remarked. +“They evidently watched us get ashore. You +see, with the breeze freshening she couldn’t very well lie +where she was. Still, if I remember, there’s an inlet a +couple of leagues or so away along the coast where she’d +find shelter.”</p> +<p>“But why didn’t they send for us first?”</p> +<p>“The trouble is that there is really a nasty sea, and +they couldn’t very well take us off if they knocked a big +hole in the gig. I fancy the wisest thing would be to +walk towards that inlet along the beach.”</p> +<p>They set off, when Nasmyth had pulled the dinghy +out, but the beach was strewn with driftwood which was +difficult to flounder over, as well as very rough. They +made no greater progress when they tried the Bush. Fallen +trees lay across one another, and there were thorny thickets +in between, while, here and there, the undergrowth seemed +as impenetrable as a wall. By-and-by it commenced to +rain, and for an hour or two they plodded on dejectedly +through the pitiless deluge. It rains exceedingly hard in +that country. At last the girl sat down on a fallen tree. +She had already lost her hat, and the water soaked out of +Nasmyth’s jacket, which he had tied by the arms about +her shoulders. Her drenched skirt clung about her, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_180' name='page_180'></a>180</span> +rent to tatters, and one of her little shoes was caked +with mire. The other gaped open.</p> +<p>“How far have we gone?” she asked.</p> +<p>“About a league,” answered Nasmyth quietly. “I +think we could make the inlet in another two hours. +That is, if the beach isn’t very much rougher.”</p> +<p>The girl leaned against a branch wearily. “I’m afraid +I can’t go a step further,” she replied with trembling +lips.</p> +<p>The rain beat upon them, and Nasmyth stood still a +moment looking at her.</p> +<p>“Well,” he said, “we really can’t stay here. Since +there seems no other way, I think I could carry you.”</p> +<p>His diffidence was evident, and Violet smiled. “Have +you ever carried anybody––a distance––before?” she +asked.</p> +<p>“No,” said Nasmyth, “I certainly haven’t.”</p> +<p>“Then I don’t think there would be much use in +trying. You couldn’t carry me for more than four or +five minutes. That wouldn’t be worth while, would it?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth said nothing for a minute or two, for he felt +compassionate as well as a trifle confused. He had, in +fact, already discovered that there are occasions when a +young woman is apt to show greater self-possession and +look facts in the face more plainly than a man. Then he +set to work furiously with a branch which he tore from +the fallen tree, ripping off rough slabs of bark, and in the +course of half an hour had constructed a shelter about +the base of a cedar. It, at least, kept the rain off when +Violet sat under it.</p> +<p>“It might be as well if I pushed on for the inlet and +brought George or Acton back with me,” he suggested. +“We could make something to carry you in, if there was +too much sea for the gig.”</p> +<p>A flush crept into the girl’s face, and she looked at +him reproachfully.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_181' name='page_181'></a>181</span></div> +<p>“How could I stay here alone?” she asked. “Don’t +say those foolish things. Come in out of the rain.”</p> +<p>The bark shelter would just hold the two of them, +and Nasmyth, dripping, sat down close beside her. She +looked very forlorn.</p> +<p>“I’m sorry for you,” he said awkwardly.</p> +<p>The girl showed faint signs of temper. “You have +told me that before. Why don’t you do something? +You said you had lived in the Bush, and now you have +only been a few hours in it. It was seven o’clock when +we had breakfast. Can’t you even make a fire?”</p> +<p>“I’m afraid I can’t,” answered Nasmyth deprecatingly. +“You see, one has usually an axe and some matches, as +well as a few other odds and ends, when one lives in the +Bush. A man is a wretchedly helpless being when he +has only his hands.”</p> +<p>The fact was borne in upon Violet forcibly as she +glanced out at the wet beach, tumbling sea, and dreary, +dripping Bush. The Bush rolled back, a long succession +of straggling pines that rose one behind the other in +sombre ranks, to the rugged hills that cut against the +hazy sky. There was, no doubt, all that man required +to provide him with warmth and food and shelter in +that forest, but it was certain that it was only by continuous +and arduous toil that he could render it available. +Indeed, since he could not make himself an axe or a +saw or a rifle, it was also evident that his efforts would +be fruitless unless backed by the toil of others who +played their part in the great scheme of human co-operation.</p> +<p>It is, however, probable that Violet did not concern +herself with this aspect of the matter, but she had led a +sheltered life, and it was curiously disconcerting to find +herself brought suddenly face to face with primitive realities. +She was wet through and worn out, and although +evening was not far away, she had eaten nothing since +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_182' name='page_182'></a>182</span> +seven o’clock that morning. The momentary petulance +deserted her.</p> +<p>“Oh!” she cried, “they mayn’t be able to send off +for us for perhaps a day or two.”</p> +<p>“It is quite likely that the breeze will drop at sunset,” +Nasmyth replied cheerfully. “These westerly breezes +often do. Anyway, the rain seems to be stopping, and I +may be able to dry my matches. In the meanwhile I +might come across something to eat. There are oysters +on some of these beaches.”</p> +<p>Violet glanced at the Bush apprehensively, and once +more it was evident that she did not wish him to leave +her. This sent a little thrill of satisfaction through him, +and although he half-consciously contrasted her with +Laura Waynefleet, it was not altogether to her disadvantage. +It is a curious fact that some men, and probably +women, too, feel more drawn to the persons upon whom +they confer a benefit than to those from whom they receive +one. Laura Waynefleet, he realized, would have +urged him to make some attempt to reach the <i>Tillicum</i>, +and in all probability would have insisted on taking a +share in it, while his companion desired only to lean on +him. After all, Laura’s attitude was more pleasant to the +subconscious vanity that was in his nature, and in this respect +he probably differed but little from most of his +fellows.</p> +<p>“You won’t be very long away?” she said.</p> +<p>Nasmyth reassured her upon this point, and floundered +down to the beach, where he carefully laid out to dry +the little block of sulphur matches that he carried. Then +he crawled among the boulders near low-water mark, +and, since oysters are tolerably plentiful along those +beaches, succeeded in collecting several dozen of them. +After that he sat down and gazed seaward for a minute or +two. There was no sign of the <i>Tillicum</i>, only a strip of +dingy, slate-green sea smeared with streaks of froth, which +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_183' name='page_183'></a>183</span> +shone white beneath a heavy, lowering sky. Close in front +of him the sea hove itself up in rows of foam-crested +ridges, which fell upon the boulders and swirled over them +and among them a furious white seething. He fancied +that it was near sunset, and it was clear that the breeze +was a little lighter. It seemed to him just possible that +four capable seamen might keep the gig afloat close enough +to the beach for one to wade out to her, though there +would be a certain peril in such a proceeding. Still, there +were not four capable seamen on board the <i>Tillicum</i>!</p> +<p>Gathering up his matches, which had dried, Nasmyth +went back to the bark shelter. He was pleasantly conscious +of the relief in Miss Hamilton’s eyes when he +reached it, and fancied that she was too overwrought and +anxious to care whether he noticed it or not; but he set +about making a fire, and she helped him to collect brittle +undergrowth and fallen branches. Then they sat down +and ate the oysters that he had laid among the embers. He +thought they were not in season, and they were certainly +burnt and shrivelled, as well as somewhat gritty; but one +is glad to eat anything after a long day of exertion, and +Nasmyth watched his companion with quiet appreciation +as she handled the rough shells daintily with little delicate +fingers. Her evident reliance upon him had its effect.</p> +<p>He carried an armful of branches to the beach, and +started another fire where it could be seen from seawards, +after which he went back and sat outside the shelter near +Miss Hamilton, while darkness crept up from the eastwards +across the Bush. It grew dim and solemn, and the +doleful wailing of the pines was curiously impressive. +The girl shivered.</p> +<p>“The wind is very chilly,” she said, with a tremor in +her voice. “You will stay here where I can see you. +You won’t go away?”</p> +<p>“Only to keep up the fire on the beach,” Nasmyth +answered reassuringly.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_184' name='page_184'></a>184</span></div> +<p>She crept into the shelter, and he could see her dimly +when the flickering light blazed up, but he could never +remember how many journeys he made to the fire upon +the beach before his eyes grew heavy as he sat amid the +whirling smoke. He endeavoured to keep awake, and +resolutely straightened himself once or twice, but at last +his eyes closed altogether, and he did not hear the shriek +of the <i>Tillicum’s</i> whistle ring far across the shadowy +Bush. Indeed, he did not waken when Acton and Wisbech +came floundering into the light of the fire; and the +two men looked at each other when they stopped beside +it and saw him lying there, and then discovered the girl +inside the shelter. Acton raised his hand warningly, while +a faint twinkle crept into his eyes.</p> +<p>“I guess there’s no reason why anybody else should +hear of this,” he said. “It seems to me that Miss Hamilton +would be just as well pleased if we were not around +when she awakens.”</p> +<p>He stooped and shook Nasmyth’s shoulder as Wisbech +disappeared among the shadows.</p> +<p>“Get up,” said Acton. “Wait until I get away, and +then waken her.”</p> +<p>It was a minute before Nasmyth, who stood up stiffly, +quite understood him, and then the blood rose to his face +as he crept into the shelter and touched the girl. She +sprang to her feet with a little cry and clutched his arm. +Then she suddenly let her hand fall back, and her cheeks +flushed crimson.</p> +<p>“The steamer’s close by,” said Nasmyth reassuringly. +“They have sent for us at last.”</p> +<p>They went out together, and it was a minute or two +later when they came upon Wisbech and Acton in the +Bush. Nasmyth entered into confused explanations as +they proceeded towards the beach. The sky was a little +lighter when they reached it, and standing near the sinking +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_185' name='page_185'></a>185</span> +fire, they could dimly see the gig plunging amidst +the froth and spray. Then George’s voice reached them.</p> +<p>“Can’t you let us have them, Mr. Acton? It’s most +all we can do to keep her off the beach,” he said.</p> +<p>Acton glanced at the strip of tumbling foam––through +which he had waded waist-deep––between them and the +boat, and Nasmyth turned towards Miss Hamilton, who, +to his astonishment, recoiled from him. Acton, however, +made him a sign of command.</p> +<p>“I guess,” he said, “she’d be safer with you.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth said nothing, but he picked the girl up, as +unconcernedly as he could, for the second time that day, +and staggered down the rough beach with her. He contrived +to keep his footing when a frothing sea broke +against him, and, floundering through the seething water, +reached the lurching boat. George seized his burden, and +gently deposited it in one of the seats. Scrambling on +board, Nasmyth groped for an oar, and in another minute +or two they laboriously drove the gig out towards the +blinking lights of the <i>Tillicum</i>.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_186' name='page_186'></a>186</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XVIII_TRANQUILLITY' id='CHAPTER_XVIII_TRANQUILLITY'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> +<h3>TRANQUILLITY</h3> +</div> +<p>The afternoon was very hot when Nasmyth plodded +down a steep hillside through the thick red dust of +the waggon trail. A fire had swept the undergrowth +away, and there was no shade among the trees which, +stripped of their branches, towered about him, great +charred and blackened columns. Close ahead the primeval +Bush rose in an unbroken sombre mass, and Nasmyth, +who quickened his pace a trifle, sat down with a gasp of +satisfaction when he reached the first of the shadow. It +was fresh and cool there. The Bush was scented with +the odours of pine and cedar, and filled with the soft +murmur of falling water, while he knew that just beyond +it Bonavista stood above the sparkling sea.</p> +<p>He was on his way from the railroad depôt. It was +just a fortnight since he had left the <i>Tillicum</i> at the little +mining town, on the day after the one he and Violet +Hamilton had spent on the beach, and he had not seen +her before he went. Now he fancied that a welcome +awaited him, and he felt sincerely pleased to be +back again. As he sat beneath a great cedar filling his +pipe, it seemed to him only appropriate that he should +approach Bonavista through that belt of cool, sweet-scented +Bush. It made it easier to feel that he had left +behind him all that associated him with the strife and +bustle of the hot and noisy cities. At Bonavista were +leisure, comfort, and tranquillity, which were, after all, +things that made a strong appeal to one side of his nature, +and he had made no progress in the city. There was also +no doubt that both Mr. and Mrs. Acton were glad to +entertain him for a time. He sat still a few minutes, and +then went on slowly beneath the towering redwoods and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_187' name='page_187'></a>187</span> +cedars until he came out of the forest, and saw the sunlight +stream down on the shingled roof of Bonavista close +ahead.</p> +<p>The house appeared to be empty, and he had shed his +dusty city clothes in his room and had dressed again before +he came upon Mrs. Acton, sitting half asleep on a +secluded strip of veranda. She roused herself and smiled +when she saw him.</p> +<p>“So you have come back at last. We have been expecting +you all the past week,” she said.</p> +<p>“That,” returned Nasmyth, “was remarkably good of +you. In fact, I have wondered now and then, with some +misgivings, whether you have not seen too much of me +already.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Acton laughed. “You needn’t worry yourself +on that point. We have all our little hobbies. My husband’s +is the acquisition of dollars and the opening of +mines and mills. Mine is the amusing of my friends, or, +rather, the permitting them to amuse themselves, which +is why I had Bonavista built. I make only one stipulation––it +is that when you stay with us, you are amused.”</p> +<p>With a little sigh of content, Nasmyth settled himself +in a canvas chair, and glanced out between the slender +pillars of the cool veranda at the wall of dusky forest and +the flashing sea.</p> +<p>“Ah,” he replied, “can you doubt it, my dear lady? +After logging camp and mine and city, this is an enchanted +land. I think it is always summer afternoon at +Bonavista.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Acton smiled at him graciously. “That,” she +observed, “was quite nice of you. Things haven’t gone +just as you would have liked them to go, in the city?”</p> +<p>“They haven’t,” admitted Nasmyth whimsically. “As +a matter of fact, they very seldom do. Still, I wouldn’t +like you to think that was the only reason I am glad to +get back.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_188' name='page_188'></a>188</span></div> +<p>Mrs. Acton’s eyes twinkled. “I imagine I am acquainted +with the other. You were rather tactful in +going away.”</p> +<p>“I went because Mr. Acton handed me a letter which +said that a business man in Victoria would like a talk +with me.”</p> +<p>“In any case, Miss Hamilton seems to be under the +impression that it was nice of you.”</p> +<p>“Nice of me to go away?” and Nasmyth’s tone was +mildly reproachful.</p> +<p>“One would not resent a desire to save one any little +embarrassment.”</p> +<p>“Still,” observed Nasmyth, with an air of reflection, +“the trouble is that I couldn’t contrive to keep out of +her sight continually even if I wanted to, and”––he lowered +his voice confidentially––“as it happens, I don’t.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Acton laughed. “I don’t know of any particular +reason why you should do that. Violet has probably quite +recovered her equanimity and decided on her attitude +towards you.” Then she changed the subject abruptly. +“I wonder if I may point out that there has been a +change in you, since my husband brought you here. For +one thing, you are much more amusing. Even your voice +is different.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth bowed. “But not my hands,” he said; and +as he held up one hand, she noticed the scars on it and +the coarseness of his nails. “That tells a tale, I think. +My dear lady, I scarcely think you quite realize all that +you have given me. You have never seen how we lived in +the lonely logging camps––packed like cattle in a reeking +shed––and you do not know the grim side of our life in +the Bush. It would be no great use to tell you that I +have now and then limped for days together over the ballast +of a railroad track, wondering where my next dollar +was to come from. These are the things one could not +expect you to understand.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_189' name='page_189'></a>189</span></div> +<p>Mrs. Acton’s face softened a little. “Still, I think +my husband does,” she replied. Then she smiled at him. +“It almost seems to me that you need never go back to +that life again unless you like it. I mean, of course, that, +for one thing, your uncle has his views concerning you. +He has to some extent taken Mr. Acton into his confidence.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth made no comment, and Mrs. Acton sank +down a little further into her long chair. “The others are +down on the beach,” she announced drowsily. “I really +think I was going to sleep when you made your appearance.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth could take a hint, and he strolled away down +the veranda stairway and around the edge of the wide +clearing in the shadow of the Bush, until he stood looking +down upon the sea from the crown of the bluff. Then +he felt a little thrill, for some twenty or thirty feet beneath +him was a patch of something white in the shadow +of the shrubbery. He went down quietly until he stopped, +and, stooping, touched Violet Hamilton’s shoulder. She +looked around with a start, and a faint trace of embarrassment +crept into her face at the sight of him.</p> +<p>“Oh,” she said, “I thought you were in Victoria.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth stretched himself out upon a ledge of rock +near her feet. “Mrs. Acton was good enough to imply +that she had been expecting me more or less anxiously for +several days,” he rejoined in a tone of reproach. “In +fact, she used the plural pronoun, which led me to believe +that somebody else must have shared her anxiety. She +did not, however, point out who it was that she meant.”</p> +<p>“Her husband, in all probability. She could, at least, +speak for him.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth appeared to ponder over this, though his heart +was beating faster than usual, for the suggestion of confusion +which he had noticed in the girl’s manner had its +significance for him.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_190' name='page_190'></a>190</span></div> +<p>“Well,” he conceded, “it may have been Acton, but I +almost ventured to believe she meant somebody else. In +any case, I shouldn’t like to think you were displeased at +my reappearance. If you are, I can, of course, go away +again.”</p> +<p>“I am not the only person at Bonavista. Wouldn’t +anybody else’s wishes count––Mr. Acton’s, for instance?”</p> +<p>“No,” asserted Nasmyth reflectively. “At least, not +to anything like the same extent.”</p> +<p>Violet laughed. “The difficulty is that nobody can tell +how much you really mean. You are so seldom serious.” +She cast a quick glance at him. “You were not like that +when you first came here.”</p> +<p>“Then,” said Nasmyth, “you can blame it on Bonavista. +As I have been trying to explain to Mrs. Acton, +who made a similar observation, there is glamour in this +air. It gets hold of one. I was, no doubt, a tediously +solemn person when I left the Bush, but you will remember +that soon after I arrived here, you and I sailed out +together into the realms of moonlight and mystery. I +sometimes feel that I must have brought a little of the +latter back with me.”</p> +<p>Violet said nothing for half a minute, during which +she lay resting on one elbow, looking down upon the +cool, green flashing of the water a hundred feet below, +and again Nasmyth felt a little thrill run through him. +She was so very dainty in speech and thought and person, +a woman of the world he had once belonged to, and +which it now seemed he might enter again. Her delicately +chiselled, half-averted face matched the slight but +finely moulded figure about which the thin white draperies +clung. She turned and looked at him.</p> +<p>“You certainly can’t be serious now,” she declared.</p> +<p>“I assure you that when I mentioned the glamour +and mystery, I was never half so serious in my life. They +are, after all, very real things.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_191' name='page_191'></a>191</span></div> +<p>He was, as a matter of fact, grimly serious for the +moment as he wondered at the change that had come over +him. His life in the silent Bush, the struggle with the +icy river, and even Laura Waynefleet, who had encouraged +him in his work of rehabilitation, had by degrees +become no more than a dim, blurred memory. He knew +that he could recall it all, but he had no wish to make +the effort, for it was more pleasant to hear the sighing +of the summer wind about the firs of Bonavista, and +wonder languidly what his companion thought.</p> +<p>“I haven’t thanked you for taking care of me the +day we were left behind on the beach,” said Violet.</p> +<p>Nasmyth made a sign of protest. “I don’t think +you are under any very great obligation to me. As a +matter of fact, my efforts on your behalf nearly resulted +in my drowning you. Besides, you see, there was really +not the slightest cause for uneasiness. Acton certainly +would have sent for us when the wind dropped.”</p> +<p>“But it might have blown for days.”</p> +<p>“Then,” said Nasmyth, with a twinkle in his eyes, +“we would have lived on salmon and berries until it +stopped. One really can live on them for a considerable +time, though they are not remarkably palatable when one +has anything else to eat; in fact, it’s a thing I’ve done.”</p> +<p>Salmon is not esteemed in that country, except for the +purpose of sending East in cans, and it is seldom that +anybody eats it except the Indians. There is probably no +diet that more rapidly grows satiating.</p> +<p>“Ah,” exclaimed the girl, with a shiver, “it would +have been horrible.”</p> +<p>She was evidently not thinking of the salmon, but of +the dreary, dripping Bush, and Nasmyth looked at her +with reproach in his eyes.</p> +<p>“I really don’t think it would have been,” he said. +“In fact, I believe we could have lived there for a little +while very contentedly––that is, when I had fixed things +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_192' name='page_192'></a>192</span> +up a bit. After all, there is a certain glamour in the +Bush when one gets used to it.”</p> +<p>He saw the faint colour creep into her face, and, though +it cost him an effort, laid a restraint upon himself.</p> +<p>“Well,” he said, “I at least would not have felt that +I had any cause to complain, though, no doubt, it would +have been different with you. You see”––and he made +an expressive gesture––“I have had a long tough tussle +since I came to Canada, and experiences of that sort have +their effect on one. In fact, they set one apart from +those who haven’t undergone them. It seems to have +struck you that I was prematurely solemn and serious +when I came to Bonavista.”</p> +<p>He thought he saw sympathy in Violet Hamilton’s +eyes, and her next observation made it clear that her +mind was busy with the suggestion that he had conveyed.</p> +<p>“After all,” she said softly, “you cannot be very much +older than I am.”</p> +<p>“Four years, perhaps,” returned Nasmyth, with a trace +of grimness. “That is, in one sense. In another, I think +I am double your age. You see, you have never been +brought into contact with the realities of life. If you +had been, you would probably not be so ready to take me +for what you think I am, as I believe you have graciously +done. After all, you know so very little about me.”</p> +<p>He felt that he was doing no more than discharging +an obligation in giving her this warning. He desired to +afford her every opportunity of satisfying herself concerning +him, for he was not a fool, and he had seen for a +moment or two a suggestive softness in her face. It is +possible that she did not know it had been there, but he +felt that if he roused himself and made the effort, he +might sweep away the barriers between them.</p> +<p>Violet appeared troubled by his words. She sat silent, +while Nasmyth wondered what she would say. He was +aware that a good deal depended upon her next remark. +Then there were footsteps on the slope behind them, and, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_193' name='page_193'></a>193</span> +turning suddenly, he saw Acton and another man approaching +them. He rose with a little start when he +recognized the second man as Gordon, who was neatly +attired in city clothes. Gordon looked down at Nasmyth +with a faint sardonic smile.</p> +<p>“Mr. Gordon turned up half an hour ago,” Acton said. +“It appears that he was going into the city, and got off +the cars to talk over things with you. I believe he had +a notion of going on again to-night, but Mrs. Acton won’t +hear of it.”</p> +<p>Gordon bowed in the direction of his host.</p> +<p>“I’d have put up a more vigorous protest against +troubling Mrs. Acton than I did, if I had felt it would +have been of any use,” he said.</p> +<p>“Well,” replied Acton, smiling, “I guess they’ll be +getting supper ready, and we were sent here to bring our +friend and Miss Hamilton in.”</p> +<p>They went back to the house together, where they +found the long table spread. It was characteristic of the +owner of Bonavista that he still called the evening meal +supper. There were, besides Nasmyth and Wisbech, five +or six other guests from Victoria and one of the rising +cities on Puget Sound, and Gordon speedily made himself +very much at home. Most of his new acquaintances +found what he had to say entertaining, but Miss Hamilton +was, as Nasmyth noticed, somewhat silent. Nasmyth, +on his part, felt slightly restless, for his old comrade’s +presence had an unsettling effect on him. It was, however, +not until an hour or two later that he and Gordon +were able to discuss their own affairs. They sat on the +veranda looking down upon the sea, while the dusk slowly +crept up from the east.</p> +<p>“Now,” said Gordon, “I should like to hear what +you have done.”</p> +<p>“I’m afraid it’s not a great deal,” replied Nasmyth. +“The Crown land authorities appear disposed to sell the +land instead of leasing it, which of late has been the more +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_194' name='page_194'></a>194</span> +usual course; but they insist on counting a certain proportion +of the hillside and big timber in. I may get one +or two concessions, and I’m still keeping the affair before +them. In the meanwhile I’ve been seeing what can be +done to raise enough capital to take up all the land, but +haven’t met with any great success. The folks I’ve been +in communication with, as usual, want all the profit; in +fact, I almost fancy it might be as well to raise what +money we can around the settlement, and content ourselves +with locating a portion of the valley.”</p> +<p>Gordon nodded. “You can’t do much about the fall +until after the autumn freshets, anyway, and there’s a +good deal you can’t get at until the frost sets in,” he declared. +“In the meanwhile the offers Wheeler and I +made you hold.”</p> +<p>They discussed the matter until Mrs. Acton appeared +on the veranda and shook her head at them.</p> +<p>“What are you two doing here when there are pretty +girls in the house waiting for a dance?” she inquired.</p> +<p>“I’m afraid we have been very remiss,” apologized +Nasmyth, when they joined her. “Still, we didn’t know, +and we had some business to talk about.”</p> +<p>“There will be plenty of time for that to-morrow.”</p> +<p>“The trouble is that I shall be in the city then,” said +Gordon.</p> +<p>Mrs. Acton laughed. “Oh, no!” she contradicted. +“We are all going for a sail on the straits to-morrow, +and we certainly expect you to join us. In the meanwhile, +I believe there are two young women waiting for partners.”</p> +<p>She silenced Gordon’s objections as they turned back +towards the house. They found the dancing had commenced, +and Nasmyth failed to secure Miss Hamilton as +a partner for any time in the evening. He could not help +a fancy that she had taken some little trouble to bring +about this result.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_195' name='page_195'></a>195</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XIX_NASMYTH_HEARS_THE_RIVER' id='CHAPTER_XIX_NASMYTH_HEARS_THE_RIVER'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2> +<h3>NASMYTH HEARS THE RIVER</h3> +</div> +<p>Darkness had settled down on Bonavista next evening +when Nasmyth lay in a canvas chair on the veranda, +while Gordon leaned against the balustrade in +front of him with a cigar in his hand. A blaze of light +streamed out from one of the long open windows a few +yards away, and somebody was singing in the room behind +it, while the splash of the gentle surf came up from +the foot of the promontory in a deep monotone. Now +and then a shadowy figure strolled into the veranda or +crossed it to the terrace below, but for the time being +nobody disturbed the two men.</p> +<p>“I haven’t had a word with you since last night,” said +Nasmyth. “How are the boys at the settlement?”</p> +<p>“Hustling along as usual.” Gordon laughed. “Is +there anybody else you feel inclined to ask about?”</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Nasmyth, “there certainly is. How is +Miss Waynefleet?”</p> +<p>Gordon looked down at his cigar. “Well,” he said, +“I’m a little worried on her account. She was attempting +to do a great deal more than was good for her when +I last saw her. They have no longer a hired man at the +ranch. Waynefleet, I understand, is rather tightly fixed +for money, and, as you know, he isn’t the kind of man +who would deny himself. He was talking of selling +some stock.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth suddenly straightened himself, and closed one +hand rather hard on the arm of his chair.</p> +<p>“What right have you and I to be lounging here when +that girl is working late and early on the ranch?” he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_196' name='page_196'></a>196</span> +asked. “Gordon, you will have to buy two or three +head of that stock at double value for me.”</p> +<p>“It’s rather a big question;” and Gordon’s tone was +serious. “In fact, I fancy it’s one that neither you nor +I can throw much light upon. Anyway, I may as well +point out that I arrived here only yesterday, and I’m +going on again in the morning. As to the other matter, +Laura Waynefleet has friends who will stand by her.”</p> +<p>“Don’t you count me one of them?” Nasmyth demanded. +“That girl saved my life for me.”</p> +<p>Gordon glanced round sharply, for there were light +footsteps on the veranda, and he almost imagined that a +white figure in filmy draperies stopped a moment. It, +however, went on again and vanished in the shadow.</p> +<p>“I believe she did,” he admitted. “Well, if there’s +anything that can be done, you may rely on me.” He +made an abrupt gesture, and as he turned, the light from +the window fell upon his face, showing the curious smile +on it. “What are you doing here?”</p> +<p>He flung the question at his comrade, and Nasmyth, +who knew what he meant, sat for a moment or two with +wrinkled forehead. There was no reason why he should +not stay there so long as Mr. and Mrs. Acton desired +his company, but it did not seem fitting that he should +spend those summer days in luxurious idleness while Laura +Waynefleet toiled late and early at the lonely ranch. +Again, he seemed to see her steady eyes with the quiet +courage in them, and the gleam of her red-gold hair. +Even then she was, he reflected, in all probability occupied +with some severe drudgery. It was a thing he did +not like to contemplate, and he almost resented the fact +that Gordon should have brought such thoughts into his +mind. His comrade had broken in upon his contentment +like a frosty wind that stung him to action. Still, he answered +quietly.</p> +<p>“I am within easy reach of the city here,” he explained. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_197' name='page_197'></a>197</span> +“Acton, who has once or twice given me good advice, is +acquainted with most of the folks likely to be of any use +to us, and has laid the scheme before one or two of them. +That, at least, is one reason why I am staying at Bonavista. +It’s perfectly evident that it wouldn’t be any benefit +to Miss Waynefleet if I went back to the Bush.”</p> +<p>“No,” agreed Gordon grimly; “if you were likely to +be of any use or consolation to her, you’d go, if I had to +drag you.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth smiled. He was too well acquainted with +his comrade’s manner to take offence at this remark, and +the man’s devotion to the girl who, he knew, would never +regard him as more than a friend also had its effect.</p> +<p>“Well,” he said, “since plain speaking seems admissible, +you are probably aware that Laura Waynefleet has +nothing beyond a kindly interest in me. She is, I needn’t +point out, a remarkably sensible young lady.”</p> +<p>He stopped somewhat abruptly, for Wisbech emerged +from the shadows beneath the pillars, and sat down in a +chair close by.</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Wisbech, “I heard, and it seems to me +Derrick’s right in one respect. Though I don’t know +how far it accounts for the other fact he has just impressed +on you, Miss Waynefleet certainly possesses a +considerable amount of sense. She is also a young lady +I have a high opinion of. Still, if he had gone back to +the Bush merely because you insisted on it, I think I +should have cast him off.”</p> +<p>Gordon appeared to ponder over this, and he then +laughed softly. “It’s quite natural, and I guess I sympathize +with you,” he remarked. “In one way, however, +your nephew’s acquitting himself creditably, considering +that there are apparently three people anxious to +exert a beneficent influence upon him. The effect of that +kind of thing is apt to become a trifle bewildering, especially +as it’s evident their views can’t invariably coincide.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_198' name='page_198'></a>198</span></div> +<p>“Three?” said Wisbech, with a twinkle in his eyes. +“If you count me in, I almost fancy there are four.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth said nothing, though he felt his face grow +hot. Gordon smiled.</p> +<p>“As a matter of fact,” he admitted, “I had a notion +that Miss Hamilton resented my being here. Any way, +she didn’t take any very noticeable trouble to be pleasant +to me to-day. No doubt she considers any influence she +may choose to exert should be quite sufficient.”</p> +<p>“It should be,” said Nasmyth. “That is, to any man +who happened to be a judge of character, and had eyes +in his head.”</p> +<p>Gordon waved one hand. “Oh,” he averred, “she’s +very dainty, and I think there’s a little more than prettiness +there, which is a very liberal admission, since I’m +troubled with an impression that she isn’t quite pleased +with me. Still, when the woods are full of pretty girls, +I guess it’s wisest of a man who has anything worth while +to do in front of him to keep his eyes right on the trail, +and go steadily ahead.” He turned to Wisbech deprecatingly. +“We don’t mind you, sir. We regard you as +part of the concern.”</p> +<p>“Thanks,” said Wisbech, with a certain dryness. “I +believe I am interested in it––at least, financially.”</p> +<p>“Well,” said Gordon, “when I break loose, as I do +now and then, I quite often say a little more than is +strictly advisable without meaning to. It’s a habit some +folks have. Your observation, however, switches us off +on to a different matter. I’ve been telling your nephew +we leave him to handle the thing and stand by our offers.”</p> +<p>“That is precisely what I mean to do. The affair is +Derrick’s. He must take his own course,” declared Wisbech.</p> +<p>Gordon grinned as he turned to Nasmyth. “There +will be no reinforcements. You have to win your spurs.” +Then he looked at Wisbech. “If you will not be offended, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_199' name='page_199'></a>199</span> +sir, I would like to say I’m pleased to notice that +your ideas coincide with mine. He’ll be the tougher +afterwards if you let him put up his fight alone.”</p> +<p>“The assurance is naturally satisfactory,” said Wisbech +with quiet amusement. Then he held up one hand. +“It seems to me the person at the piano is playing exceptionally +well.”</p> +<p>They sat silent while the crashing opening chords rang +out from the lighted room, and then Nasmyth, who was +a lover of music, found himself listening with a strained +attention as the theme stole out of them, for it chimed +with his mood. He had been restless and disturbed in +mind before Gordon had flung his veiled hints at him, +and the reality underlying his comrade’s badinage had a +further unsettling effect. He did not know what the +music was, but it seemed in keeping with the throb of +the sea against the crag and the fitful wailing of the +pines. There was a suggestion of effort and struggle in +it, and, it seemed to him, something that spoke of a great +dominant force steadily pressing on; and, as he listened, +the splash of the sea grew fainter, and he heard instead +the roar of the icy flood and the crash of mighty trees +driving down upon his half-built dam. These were sounds +which sometimes haunted him against his will, and once +or twice he had been a little surprised to find that, now +that they were past, he could look back upon the months +of tense effort with a curious, half-regretful pleasure. He +was relieved when the music, that swelled in a sonorous +crescendo, stopped, and he saw Gordon glance at Wisbech.</p> +<p>“I think that man has understanding and the gift of +expressing what he feels,” said Wisbech. “The music +suggested something to you?”</p> +<p>“The fast freight,” confessed Gordon.––“When she’s +coming down the big cañon under a full head of steam. +I don’t know if that’s quite an elegant simile, in one way. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_200' name='page_200'></a>200</span> +Still, if you care to think how that track was built, it’s +not difficult to fancy there’s triumph in the whistles and +the roar of the freight-car wheels.”</p> +<p>Wisbech made a sign of comprehension, and Gordon +looked hard at Nasmyth. “It’s your call.”</p> +<p>“I heard the river,” said Nasmyth. “In fact, I often +hear it, and now and then wish I didn’t. It’s unsettling.”</p> +<p>Gordon laughed in a suggestive fashion. “Well,” he +declared, “most of us hear something of that kind at +times, and no doubt it’s just as well we do. It’s apt to +have results if you listen. You have been most of a month +in the city one way or another. You took to it kindly?”</p> +<p>“I didn’t,” Nasmyth answered, and it was evident +that he was serious. “I came back here feeling that I +had had quite enough of it.”</p> +<p>“Bonavista is a good deal more pleasant?” And there +was a certain meaning in Gordon’s tone. “You seemed +to have achieved some social success here, too.”</p> +<p>He saw the flush in Nasmyth’s face, and his gaze grew +insistent. “Well,” he said, “you’re not going to let that +content you, now you can hear the river. You’ll hear +it more and more plainly frothing in the black cañon +where the big trees come down. You have lived with the +exiles, and the wilderness has got its grip on you. What’s +more, I guess when it does that it never quite lets go.”</p> +<p>He broke off abruptly, and just then Acton stepped +out from the window. “Mr. Gordon,” he said, “it’s my +wife’s wish that you should come in and sing.”</p> +<p>Gordon said that he was in Mrs. Acton’s hands, and +then turned to Nasmyth.</p> +<p>“I’ve had my say,” he observed. “If there’s any +meaning in my remarks, you can worry it out.”</p> +<p>He went away with Acton, and Wisbech looked at his +nephew over his cigar.</p> +<p>“Mr. Gordon expresses himself in a rather extravagant +fashion, but I’m disposed to fancy there is something +in what he says,” he commented.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_201' name='page_201'></a>201</span></div> +<p>Nasmyth did not answer him. He was, on the whole, +glad that Gordon had gone, but he still seemed to hear +the river, and the restlessness that had troubled him was +becoming stronger. He retired somewhat early, but he +did not sleep quite so soundly as usual that night. As it +happened, Gordon rose before him next morning. Gordon +went out of doors, and presently came upon Miss +Hamilton, who was strolling bareheaded where the early +sunshine streamed in among the pines. It struck him +that he was not the person whom she would have been +most pleased to see, but she walked with him to the +crown of the promontory, where she stopped and looked +up at him steadily.</p> +<p>“Mr. Gordon,” she inquired, “what is Laura Waynefleet?”</p> +<p>Gordon started, and the girl smiled.</p> +<p>“I crossed the veranda last night,” she told him, when +he hesitated before answering her.</p> +<p>The man looked down on her with an unusual gravity. +“Well,” he said simply, “Laura Waynefleet is quietness, +and sweetness, and courage. In fact, I sometimes +think it was to make these things evident that she was +sent into this world.”</p> +<p>He thought he saw a gleam of comprehension in the +girl’s eyes, and made a gesture of protest. “No,” he +assured her, “I’m not fit to brush her little shoes. For +that matter, though he is my comrade, Nasmyth isn’t +either. What is perhaps more to the purpose, I guess he +is quite aware of it.”</p> +<p>A delicate tinge of colour crept into Violet Hamilton’s +face, and the man realized that in case his suppositions +were correct, what he had implied could hardly be considered +as a compliment. He could also fancy that there +was a certain uneasiness in her eyes.</p> +<p>“Ah,” she said, “perhaps it is a subject I should not +have ventured to inquire into.”</p> +<p>Gordon smiled reassuringly. “I don’t know of any +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_202' name='page_202'></a>202</span> +reason why you shouldn’t have done so, but I have +scarcely told you anything about her yet. Miss Waynefleet +lives at a desolate ranch in the Bush. Sometimes +she drives oxen, and I believe she invariably makes her +own clothes. I don’t think Nasmyth would feel any +great diffidence in speaking about her.”</p> +<p>He believed this, or at least he strove to convince himself +that he did, but he was relieved when the appearance +of Acton, who strolled towards them, rendered any further +confidential conversation out of the question. Gordon +set out for Victoria that afternoon, and Nasmyth, +who went with him to the railroad, returned to Bonavista +in a restless mood, and almost disposed to be angry +with his comrade for having rudely broken in upon his +tranquillity. In fact, he felt disinclined to face his +fellow-guests, which was one reason why he was sauntering +towards the inlet when he came upon Wisbech +sitting with a book in the shadow of the pines. Wisbech +looked up at his moody face.</p> +<p>“You are annoyed because Gordon wouldn’t stay?” +he suggested.</p> +<p>“No,” said Nasmyth. “In fact, I’m a little relieved +that he has gone away. I naturally like Gordon, but just +now he has an unsettling effect on me.”</p> +<p>Wisbech made a gesture of comprehension. “That +man,” he said, “is in some respects fortunate. He has a +simple programme, and is evidently more or less content +with it. His work is plain in front of him. You are +not quite sure about yours yet. To some extent, you +feel yourself adrift?”</p> +<p>“I have felt something of the kind.”</p> +<p>Wisbech thought for a moment. “I suppose,” he said, +“it hasn’t occurred to you that your classical features––they’re +Nasmyth features––might be of some assistance to +you in your career?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth felt the blood rise into his face, but he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_203' name='page_203'></a>203</span> +laughed. “They certainly haven’t proved of any great +benefit to me hitherto. It is scarcely likely that they will +do so either in the cañon.”</p> +<p>“Then you are still determined on directing operations +in person? I was commencing to wonder if you had any +reason for modifying your plans.”</p> +<p>The man’s tone was dry, but Nasmyth met his gaze, +which was now inquisitive.</p> +<p>“If it is in my power to do it, I shall certainly run +the water out of the valley,” said Nasmyth.</p> +<p>Then he swung round and strolled away, while Wisbech +smiled in a fashion which suggested that he was +pleased. It was some little time later when Nasmyth, +pacing moodily over the white shingle beside the winding +inlet, came upon Violet Hamilton sitting in the shadow +of a great boulder. The girl’s light dress matched the +rock’s pale tinting, and he did not see her until he was +within a yard or two of her. He stopped abruptly, with a +deepened colour in his face. Violet made a sign, which +seemed to invite him to sit down, and he stretched himself +out upon the shingle close in front of her.</p> +<p>“It is very hot in the house this afternoon, but it is +cool and quiet here,” she observed.</p> +<p>Nasmyth glanced at the still water and the shadow +that the pines which clung in the crevices flung athwart +the dark rock’s side.</p> +<p>“Stillness sometimes means stagnation. Miss Hamilton,” +he said.</p> +<p>The girl flashed a quick glance at him. “Well,” she +rejoined, “I suppose it does; but, after all, that is a question +we need not discuss. What were you thinking of +so hard as you came along? You didn’t see me until +you almost stepped upon my dress.”</p> +<p>“That,” said Nasmyth, with a laugh, “is proof that +I was thinking very hard indeed. It’s not a thing I often +indulge in, but I was thinking of the Bush.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_204' name='page_204'></a>204</span></div> +<p>“You sometimes feel you would like to be back there?”</p> +<p>“No,” answered Nasmyth reflectively; “I suppose I +ought to feel that, but I’m not sure that I do.”</p> +<p>“Ah,” Violet remarked, “you have told me a good +deal at one time or another about your life and friends +there, but I almost fancied now and then that you were +keeping something back. After all”––and she smiled at +him––“I suppose that would have been only natural.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth raised himself on one elbow, and looked hard +at her. “Well,” he admitted, “there was one thing I +did not tell you, though I had meant to do so sooner or +later. You see, there was nothing to warrant it in the +meanwhile.”</p> +<p>“Ah,” queried the girl, “it concerns Miss Waynefleet?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth’s face grew suddenly grave. He did not ask +himself how she came to know. Indeed, for the time +being, that did not seem to matter. There was, it seemed, +only one course open to him, and he adopted it.</p> +<p>“Yes,” he answered, “I will tell you about her.”</p> +<p>He had meant to be brief and matter-of-fact in his +narrative, but as he proceeded, the subject carried him +away. Indeed, he was scarcely conscious that Miss Hamilton +was intently watching him, for once more he seemed +to feel Laura Waynefleet’s eyes fixed upon his face, and +they were clear and brave and still. He spoke with a +certain dramatic force, and it was a somewhat striking +picture he drew of the girl. Violet could realize her personality +and the self-denying life that she led. It is possible +that Nasmyth had told her more than he intended, +when he broke off for a moment with a startling abruptness.</p> +<p>“I believe she saved my life,” he added. “She certainly +gave me back my courage, and set me on my feet +again.”</p> +<p>Violet looked at him with a strained expression in her +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_205' name='page_205'></a>205</span> +eyes. “And because of that she will have a hold upon +you while you live.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth seemed to consider this. “I think I shall +always realize what I owe to her. Still––and how shall +I say it?––that recognition is the most I would venture +to offer, or that she would accept from me.”</p> +<p>He stopped for a moment, and then went on a trifle +hastily. “Laura Waynefleet could never have taken more +than a half-compassionate interest in me,” he asserted. +“There could scarcely be any doubt upon that point.”</p> +<p>“You said half-compassionate?”</p> +<p>“Yes,” replied Nasmyth; “I almost think that describes +it. You see, I am naturally aware of my own disabilities.”</p> +<p>“Still,” persisted Violet, “she nursed you when you +were very ill, and, as you said, set you on your feet again. +That would probably count for a good deal with her.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth made a hasty gesture. “You don’t understand. +She would no doubt have taken pity on any dumb +creature. She did it because she could not help it. One +could fancy that kind of thing was born in her.”</p> +<p>Violet did not speak for a moment or two. Although +it still remained uncertain whether the girl in the Bush +had any tenderness for the man she had set upon his feet +again, he had spoken of her in a manner which did not +quite please Violet.</p> +<p>“Well,” she ventured, with a little diffident glance at +him, “some day you will go back into the Bush.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth nodded. “Yes,” he said, “I think that’s +certain. In fact, it’s probable that I shall go back very +soon. As it happens, I have undertaken a big and rather +difficult thing, which will give me a considerable lift up +if I am successful.”</p> +<p>He lay silent for a minute before he turned to her +again. “You see, I have been some time in this country, +and never have done anything worth mentioning. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_206' name='page_206'></a>206</span> +Chopping trees and driving cattle are no doubt useful +occupations, but they don’t lead to anything. I feel that I +am, so to speak, on my probation. I have still to win +my spurs.”</p> +<p>“I wonder if that is one of the ideas Miss Waynefleet +gave you?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth smiled. “I really believe it originated with +her, but, as a matter of fact, it might have gone no further, +which is an admission. Still, the desire to win those +spurs has been growing so strong of late that I can’t resist +it. In one way, I scarcely think that is very astonishing.”</p> +<p>Violet looked away from him, for she saw the gleam +in his eyes, and fancied she understood what the new +motive he had hinted at might be. Still, he did not +appear disposed to mention it.</p> +<p>“Then you would have to go away?” she asked.</p> +<p>A flush crept into Nasmyth’s face. She was a woman +of his own caste, and probably without intending it, she +had shown him in many ways that she was not averse +from him. He felt his heart beat fast when for a moment +she met his gaze.</p> +<p>“The trouble is that if I do not go I shall never have +the right to come back again,” he told her.</p> +<p>“Then,” replied the girl very softly, “you wish to +come back?”</p> +<p>“That is why I am going. There are those spurs to +win. I have to make my mark.”</p> +<p>“But it is sometimes a little difficult to make one’s +mark, isn’t it? You may be ever so long, and it must be +a little hazardous in that horrible cañon.”</p> +<p>“If it gives me the right to come back, I think it will +be very well worth while.”</p> +<p>“But suppose you don’t succeed, after all?”</p> +<p>“That,” admitted Nasmyth, “is a thing I daren’t contemplate, +because, if it happened, it is scarcely likely that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_207' name='page_207'></a>207</span> +any of my friends at Bonavista would ever be troubled +with me again.”</p> +<p>Violet looked away from him. “Ah,” she said, “don’t +you think that would be a little hard on them? Is it +very easy for you to go away?”</p> +<p>The restraint Nasmyth had imposed upon himself suddenly +deserted him. He moved a little nearer to her, and +seized one of her hands. She sat still, and made no effort +to draw it away from him.</p> +<p>“I had never meant to say what I am going to say +just now,” he declared. “I had meant to wait until there +was something successfully accomplished to my credit. +I am, you see, a thriftless, wandering adventurer––one +who has taken things as they came, and never has been +serious. When I have shown that I can also be something +else, I shall ask you formally if you will marry me. +Until then the thing is, of course, out of the question.”</p> +<p>He broke off for a moment, and held her silent by a +gesture until he went on again. “I have been swept +away, and even if you were willing to make it, I would +take no promise from you. Until I have won the right to +come back you must be absolutely free. Now you know +this, it would be very much wiser if I went away as soon +as possible.”</p> +<p>“Ah,” the girl answered with a thrill in her voice, +“whenever you come back you will find me ready to +listen to you.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth let her hand go. “Now,” he asserted, “I +think I cannot fail. Still, it must be remembered that +you are absolutely free.”</p> +<p>He would have said something more, but there was +just then a laugh and a patter of feet on the path above, +and, looking up, he saw two of Mrs. Acton’s guests descending +the bluff.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_208' name='page_208'></a>208</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XX_NASMYTH_GOES_AWAY' id='CHAPTER_XX_NASMYTH_GOES_AWAY'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2> +<h3>NASMYTH GOES AWAY</h3> +</div> +<p>Mrs. Acton was sitting on the veranda next morning +when Nasmyth, fresh from a swim in the deep +cold water of the inlet, came up across the clearing. It +had brought a clear glow into his bronzed skin and a +brightness to his eyes, and as he flung a word to a man +who greeted him, his laugh had a clean, wholesome ring. +He walked straight toward the veranda, and Mrs. Acton, +sitting still, favoured him with a very keen and careful +scrutiny. He was dressed in light flannels, which, she +admitted, became him rather well; but it was the lithe +gracefulness of his movements that she noticed most. His +easy, half-whimsical manner had their effect on her; they +won her favour. He was the kind of guest she had pleasure +in welcoming at Bonavista.</p> +<p>He went up the veranda stairway, and, stopping near +where she was sitting, looked down at her with a curious +little glow in his eyes. She started, for she had not expected +to see it there so soon.</p> +<p>“You seem unusually satisfied with everything this +morning,” she observed. “There is probably some cause +for it?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth laughed. “I believe I am. As I dare say you +have noticed, tranquil contentment is one of my virtues. +It is, however, one that is remarkably easy to exercise at +Bonavista.”</p> +<p>“Still, contentment does not, as a rule, carry a young +man very far in this country. In fact, it is now and then +a little difficult to distinguish between it and something +else that is less creditable to the man who possesses it.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_209' name='page_209'></a>209</span></div> +<p>Nasmyth smiled good-humouredly. “Well,” he replied, +“I have discovered that if you worry Fortune too +much she resents it, and flies away from you. It seems +to me there is something to be said for the quietly expectant +attitude. After all, one is now and then given +much more than one could by any effort possibly deserve.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Acton noticed the faint ring in his voice. “Ah,” +she said, “then something of that kind has befallen you? +Hadn’t you better come to the point?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth became grave. “Madam,” he said, “I have +a confession to make. I am very much afraid I lost my +head yesterday, and I should not be astonished if you +were very angry with me.”</p> +<p>He spoke with a certain diffidence, and Mrs. Acton, +who straightened herself in her chair, watched him +steadily while he made his confession. He paused with a +gesture of deprecation.</p> +<p>“In one sense, it is a preposterous folly, but I am +not quite sure that folly is not now and then better +than wisdom,” he added. “It has certainly proved to +be so in my case.”</p> +<p>“No doubt.” Mrs. Acton’s tone was suggestive. “It +is, however, Miss Hamilton I am most interested in.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth spread one hand out forcibly. “I want you +to understand that she is absolutely free. I have only +told you because you once mentioned that you considered +her a ward of yours. Nothing will be said to anybody +else, and, if she should change her mind, I will not complain. +In fact, I have decided that it would be most +fitting for me to go away.”</p> +<p>“I think,” asserted Mrs. Acton, “you have been either +too generous or not quite generous enough. The trouble +with men of your kind is that when for once they take +the trouble to reflect, they become too cautious.”</p> +<p>“I’m afraid I don’t quite grasp the point of that.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_210' name='page_210'></a>210</span></div> +<p>“You should either have said nothing, which is the +course you ought to have adopted, or a little more. I +fancy Violet would have been just as pleased if you had +shown yourself determined to make sure of her.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth stood silent, and Mrs. Acton, who surveyed +him again with thoughtful eyes, was not surprised that +he should have appealed to the girl’s imagination. The +man was of a fine lean symmetry, and straight of limb. +The stamp of a clean life was on him, showing itself in +the brightness of his eyes and his clear bronzed skin, while +he had, as Wisbech had said, the classical Nasmyth features. +These things, as Mrs. Acton admitted, counted +for something, while the faint lines upon his face, and +the suggestive hardness that now and then crept into it, +were, she decided, likely to excite a young woman’s curiosity.</p> +<p>“Well,” she said, “I feel myself considerably to +blame, and I may admit that I had at first intended to +make my husband get rid of you. I really don’t know +why I didn’t. You can make what you like of that.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth bowed with a deferential smile, and she +laughed.</p> +<p>“Still,” she said, “you must go away. Violet must +be free to change her mind, and, after all, it’s consoling +to reflect that she has not seen so very much of you yet. +In one way, it would please me if she did. It would +free me of a rather heavy responsibility.”</p> +<p>She stopped a moment, and looked at him with softening +eyes. “Go and run the water out of that valley, +or do anything else that will make a mark,” she advised.</p> +<p>Nasmyth’s face was set as he replied: “If the thing +is in any way possible, it shall be done. I think I will +go into Victoria again to-day.”</p> +<p>He turned away and left her, and it was an hour later +when she came upon Violet sitting alone in a shady +walk beneath the pines. She looked at the girl severely.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_211' name='page_211'></a>211</span></div> +<p>“If I had been quite sure of what was going on, I +should have sent that young man away,” she remarked. +“As it is, I am very glad that he is going to Victoria.”</p> +<p>Violet slipped an arm about Mrs. Acton’s neck and +kissed her shyly. “You would never have been so cruel, +and now you are going to be my friend,” she said. “I +don’t want him to go back to that horrible cañon.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Acton smiled. “I almost feel that I could shake +both of you, but I suppose I shall have to marshal my +forces on your behalf.”</p> +<p>She set about her plans that evening, when she invaded +Acton’s smoking-room, and her husband listened to her +with a little dry smile.</p> +<p>“I guess this is about the first time I have ever known +you to do a real foolish thing,” he observed.</p> +<p>“Well,” said Mrs. Acton, “it is, perhaps, to my credit +that I have done one now. Anyway, I like the man.”</p> +<p>Acton nodded. “Oh, yes;” he agreed, “that’s quite +comprehensible. There’s a good deal of tone about him, +but except with women that’s not a thing that counts in +this country. It’s the bulldog grip and grit that goes +farthest here––anyway, when a man has no money behind +him.”</p> +<p>“You wouldn’t consider Nasmyth a weak man?”</p> +<p>“Not in one way. When he’s right up against it, he’ll +stiffen himself and fight, but when the strain slackens a +little his kind are apt to let go too easily.”</p> +<p>This, as a matter of fact, was more or less correct, but +Mrs. Acton’s intention was not to discuss Nasmyth’s character, +and she smiled at her husband.</p> +<p>“Well,” she announced; “I expect you to take a hand +in the thing.”</p> +<p>Acton’s gesture was expressive of resignation. “I +guessed it. However, it seems to me that young man has +quite enough friends to give him a shove here and there +already. To begin with, there’s Wisbech.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_212' name='page_212'></a>212</span></div> +<p>“What would Wisbech do?”</p> +<p>“Not much.” And Acton smiled understandingly. +“He means to let his nephew feel his own feet. He’s a +sensible man. Then there’s that man Gordon from the +Bush, and it seems I’m to do my share, too. Guess if I +was Nasmyth, I’d say ‘thank you,’ and go right ahead +without listening to one among the crowd of us.”</p> +<p>“That,” Mrs. Acton said, “isn’t quite the question. I +think I pointed out what I expect from you.”</p> +<p>Acton’s eyes twinkled. “You did,” he assured her. +“I’ll try to set things in train the first time I go down +to the city.”</p> +<p>This was somewhat vague, but Mrs. Acton was satisfied. +Nevertheless, she said nothing to Nasmyth on the +subject, and next afternoon he left Bonavista for Victoria. +A day or two later he called by appointment at +the office of a certain land exploitation agency, and found +Hutton waiting for him. Hutton, who sat with his elbows +on the table, pointed to a chair.</p> +<p>“You have taken my view of the thing?” he said in +a questioning tone. “If you’ll sit down a minute, I’ll call +my clerk in, and he’ll get the papers ready.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth smiled. “I don’t think you need trouble to +do that just yet. You see, I haven’t the least intention +of closing with your offer.”</p> +<p>It is just possible that Hutton had expected this, but, +in any case, he betrayed no astonishment. He leaned +forward, regarding his visitor with an almost expressionless +face.</p> +<p>“Then,” he returned, “I’ll hear your proposition.”</p> +<p>“What do you think of the one I had the pleasure of +making you some time ago?” Nasmyth inquired.</p> +<p>“Quite out of the question.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth smiled. “That,” he remarked, “is in one +sense a pity, as I couldn’t repeat it to-day. If we are to +do business together, I should have to ask you for a considerably +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_213' name='page_213'></a>213</span> +larger share of the profit. In fact, I was wondering +if you could see your way to offer half as much +again.”</p> +<p>Hutton gazed at him with sardonic amusement. “Oh,” +he replied, “has somebody left you a fortune, or are they +going to run a railroad through that valley?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth sat silent a moment or two, and it happened +that his easy indifference served him tolerably well. Had +he been a keener man, the anxiety to get about his work +in the cañon, of which he was certainly sensible, might +have led to his undoing; but he was not one who often +erred through undue precipitancy. The waiting fight +was, perhaps, the one for which he was particularly +adapted. If anything, he was rather too much addicted +to holding out his hand, and he realized that it behooves +the man without capital to be particularly wary in his negotiations +with the one in possession of money. His +recent interview with Violet Hamilton also had a stirring +effect on him, and now he sat quietly prepared to hold +his own.</p> +<p>“No,” he declared, “there has been no particular +change in my affairs. I have only been thinking things +over, and it seems to me I ought to get the terms I mentioned.”</p> +<p>“Then you had better try. It won’t be from any of +the accredited land agencies.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth noticed the faint ring in his companion’s +voice. This, it seemed to him, was not bluff. The man, +he believed, meant what he said.</p> +<p>“You seem quite sure of it,” he observed.</p> +<p>As a matter of fact, Hutton was, but he felt annoyed +with himself.</p> +<p>“Well,” he said, “I naturally know what they would +think of any proposition like the one you made me. Anyway, +as I suggested, all you have to do is to try them.”</p> +<p>Again Nasmyth, conscious that his companion was +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_214' name='page_214'></a>214</span> +unobtrusively watching him, sat silent a moment or two. He +knew that if he broke with Hutton he might have considerable +difficulty in raising the money he required from any +corporation interested in such matters in that city; but he +had also another plan in his mind. He was far from +sure that the scheme would prove successful, and it was +at least certain that it would cost him a good deal of +trouble to carry it out.</p> +<p>“Then I don’t think I need keep you any longer,” he +told Hutton after a long pause. “I’ll leave the thing +over for a day or two, and you can send across to my +hotel if you wish to discuss it again.”</p> +<p>He rose and reached out for his hat, and Hutton, who +watched him cross the room, was once or twice on the +point of calling him back. Hutton did not speak, however, +since he fancied that Nasmyth would presently return +of his own accord––which was an expectation that +proved unwarranted.</p> +<p>The office was on the second floor of a big stone building, +and, as he descended the stairway, Nasmyth fancied +he caught sight of Martial in the entrance-hall. Before +he could be quite sure, the man turned down a corridor, +and Nasmyth, who did not trouble himself about the +matter, went out into the street. He was not altogether +satisfied that he had done wisely, but he meant, at least, +to wait until events should prove him wrong.</p> +<p>A few minutes later, Martial strolled into the office +where Hutton sat, and smiled at him suggestively. He +was also, as Acton had once told Nasmyth, interested in +the land exploitation business, and it was evident that +Hutton had expected him.</p> +<p>“Nasmyth has been here,” Martial observed; “I saw +him on the stairway. I suppose you got hold of him?”</p> +<p>Hutton’s gesture was forcibly expressive of annoyance. +“As a matter of fact, I didn’t,” he confessed. “The +man’s either considerably smarter than I gave him credit +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_215' name='page_215'></a>215</span> +for being, or a thick-headed, obstinate fool. The one’s +as hard to handle as the other. I don’t know which he +is, and it doesn’t greatly matter. The result’s the same.”</p> +<p>“I guess it’s the latter;” and Martial laughed. “Well, +since you can’t come to terms, have you any notion what +his programme is?”</p> +<p>“It’s not a sure thing that he has one. Anyway, he +didn’t mention it. We’ll let him wait a day or two. +It’s quite likely he’ll try the Charters people.”</p> +<p>Both of them smiled, for it was then not an unusual +thing for the men interested in such affairs to put their +heads together and take a joint hand in any deal that +seemed to warrant it, and when they did so, the results +were not, as a rule, encouraging to the outsider.</p> +<p>Martial looked at his comrade suggestively.</p> +<p>“I had a talk with Charters yesterday,” he said. “He +told me that if there was anything in it, he didn’t expect +us to let the thing go.”</p> +<p>Hutton thought for a moment. “One could sell quite +a few ranches in the valley; but it’s going to cost considerable +to run the water out, and I can’t quite put my +hand on anybody I’d feel like trusting with the work in +the cañon. It’s going to be difficult. Besides, Nasmyth +has what you might call a first option on the land. Nobody +else seems to want it, and the Crown people have +evidently given way on a point or two. It’s a sure thing +they’d make no concession if we show our hands.” He +broke off for a moment, and flung a quick glance at his +visitor. “You don’t like the man?”</p> +<p>“I don’t,” said Martial––“that’s a solid fact. Still, +it’s not going to count for much. This”––and he waved +his hand––“is a matter of business.”</p> +<p>He sat still for a moment or two, with a curious look +in his face; for he had called at the hotel Acton’s party +had visited on the night that he had endeavoured to crawl +unobserved on board the <i>Tillicum</i>. He had no difficulty +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_216' name='page_216'></a>216</span> +in discovering that Mrs. Acton and Miss Hamilton had +spent the night there, which made it evident that the girl +could not have been on board the steamer. He had, +however, not made the inquiries until business took him +to the hotel several weeks afterwards, and Acton’s manner, +when they met in the city, convinced him that the +schooner men had been communicative. On thinking the +matter over, it became clear that Nasmyth and the skipper +had played a trick on him; and, since it had cost him +Mrs. Acton’s good-will, without which he could not +approach Miss Hamilton, he cherished a bitter grievance +against Nasmyth.</p> +<p>“Well,” he inquired, “in case he tries to raise the +money elsewhere, what do you suggest?”</p> +<p>“I guess we’ll let him try,” answered Hutton. “He’s +not going to raise much when things are humming and +every man with capital is putting it into mines and mills. +Besides, the work in the cañon’s evidently a big undertaking, +and it’s going to run into a long bill for labour. A +thing of that kind usually costs four times as much as the +man who starts it figures. Well, we’ll leave him to it, +and when his money runs out we’ll chip in.”</p> +<p>Martial laughed. “That’s very much my notion. Let +him do the work, and then jump in and put up our +dummies to locate all the land he can’t take hold of. +Once we get a ranch or two recorded, there would be +a dozen ways we could get a grip on him. Between us +and Charters, we ought to break him.”</p> +<p>They smiled at each other, but in a moment or two +Hutton looked thoughtful again.</p> +<p>“You want to understand,” he said, “it’s not my +business to break Nasmyth. It’s the money I’m out for. +In fact, if there’s an easier way than the one I suggested, +I’m going to take it; and with that in view, I’ll send up +a man or two I can rely on to investigate.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_217' name='page_217'></a>217</span></div> +<p>“If they get crawling round that cañon and up and +down the valley, it will set the blame settlers talking. +We want the thing run quietly,” Martial cautioned.</p> +<p>“I guess it can be done,” replied Hutton. “They’ll +go camping out for pleasure. In fact, to make the thing +more like it, I’ll send them fishing.” Martial rose. +“Anyway,” he said, “I’ll leave it with you in the meanwhile.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_218' name='page_218'></a>218</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXI_THE_MEN_OF_THE_BUSH' id='CHAPTER_XXI_THE_MEN_OF_THE_BUSH'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXI</h2> +<h3>THE MEN OF THE BUSH</h3> +</div> +<p>A cool shadow fell upon the descending trail that +wound in among the towering firs, and Nasmyth +checked his jaded horse as he entered on the last league +of his long ride from the railroad. The red dust had +settled thick upon his city clothes, and for the first time +he found the restraint of them irksome. The band of +his new hat had tightened unpleasantly about his forehead, +and in scrambling up the side of the last high ridge +which he had crossed, one neatly-fitting boot had galled +his foot, while he smiled with somewhat sinister amusement +as he felt the grip of the tight jacket on his shoulders. +These were, as he recognized, petty troubles, and +he was rather astonished that he should resent them, as +he certainly did. He remembered that a little while +before he had made no complaint against the restraints +of civilization, and had, indeed, begun to shrink from +the prospect of going back to the untrammelled life of +the wilderness.</p> +<p>But, as he straightened himself in his saddle and gazed +down the deep valley through which the trail twisted, +he felt the shrinking melt away. After all, there was +something in the wilderness that appealed to him. There +was vigour in the clean smell of it, and the little breeze +that fanned his face was laden with the scent of the firs. +The trees rolled away before him in sombre battalions +that dwindled far up the rocky sides of the enfolding +hills, and here and there a flood of sunlight that struck +in through the openings fell in streams of burning gold +upon their tremendous trunks. Beyond them the rugged +heights rose, mass on mass, against the western sky.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_219' name='page_219'></a>219</span></div> +<p>He rode into the shadow, and, though he thought of +her, it was curious that Violet Hamilton seemed to become +less real to him as he pushed on down the valley. +He vaguely felt that he could not carry her with him +into the wilderness. She was a part of the civilization +upon which he had once more, for a time at least, turned +his back, and he could not fit her into the environment +of that wild and rugged land. Indeed, he remembered +with a compassionate tenderness how she had shrunk +from it and clung to him––a forlorn, bedraggled object, +in her tattered dress––the day they floundered through +the dripping Bush, and he subconsciously braced himself +for conflict as he thought of it. The sooner his work +was over, the sooner he could go back to her; but there +was, as he remembered, a great deal to be accomplished +first.</p> +<p>Wrapped in thought as he was, he was surprised when +he saw a faint blue cloud of wood-smoke trailing out +athwart the sombre firs in the hollow beneath him. Then +two figures became visible, moving upwards along the +strip of trail, and he drove the jaded horse forward as +he recognized them. He lost sight of them for a few +minutes as he turned aside to avoid a swampy spot, but +when he had left it behind they were close ahead in the +middle of the trail, and it was with a thrill of pleasure +that he swung himself stiffly from the saddle.</p> +<p>With a smile on his bronzed face, Gordon stood looking +at him. Gordon was dressed in soil-stained garments +of old blue duck, with a patch cut from a cotton +flour-bag on one of them. Laura Waynefleet stood a +little nearer, and there was also a welcome in her eyes. +Nasmyth noticed how curiously at home she seemed +amidst that tremendous colonnade of towering trunks. +He shook hands with her, but it was Gordon who spoke +first.</p> +<p>“You have come back to us. We have been expecting +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_220' name='page_220'></a>220</span> +you,” he said. “After all, store clothes and three +well-laid meals a day are apt to pall on one.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth turned to Laura. “I should like to point +out that this is the man who urged me to go,” he said. +“One can’t count on him.”</p> +<p>“Oh, yes,” admitted Gordon, “I certainly did urge +you, but I guess I knew what the result would be. It +was the surest way of quieting you. Anyway, you don’t +seem sorry to be back again?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth glanced at Laura.</p> +<p>“No,” he said; “in some respects I’m very glad.”</p> +<p>He became suddenly self-conscious as he saw Gordon’s +significant smile. It suggested that he had, perhaps, +made too great an admission, and he wondered for the +first time, with a certain uneasiness, whether Gordon +had mentioned Miss Hamilton to Laura, and, if that +was the case, what Miss Waynefleet thought about the +subject.</p> +<p>Laura talked to him in her old friendly fashion as +they walked on towards the settlement, until Gordon +broke in.</p> +<p>“I’ve called the boys together, as you suggested, and +fixed up the meeting for to-night,” he said. “They’ll +be ready to give you a hearing, after supper, in the hotel.”</p> +<p>Laura left them on the outskirts of the settlement, +and Gordon, stopping a moment, looked hard at Nasmyth.</p> +<p>“I suppose you pledged yourself to that girl at Bonavista +before you came away?” he said.</p> +<p>“I did,” Nasmyth admitted.</p> +<p>Gordon was silent for a moment or two. “Of course, +I partly expected it,” he observed. “In fact, when I +was talking to Miss Waynefleet about you, I ventured +to predict something of the kind.”</p> +<p>The two men looked at each other for a moment, and +then Nasmyth smiled.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_221' name='page_221'></a>221</span></div> +<p>“You haven’t anything else to say,” he suggested.</p> +<p>“No,” answered Gordon,––“at least, nothing that’s +very material. Anyway, until we’re through with the +business we have on hand, you’ll have to put that girl +right out of your mind.”</p> +<p>They went on towards the little wooden hotel, and +Nasmyth felt unusually thoughtful as he walked beside +his jaded horse. He recognized that his comrade’s last +observation was more or less warranted, and it was to +some extent a relief to him when they reached the +veranda stairway and Gordon led the horse away toward +the stables.</p> +<p>It was rather more than an hour later when a specially +invited company of men who had, as they said, a +stake in the district assembled in the big general room +of the hotel. There was about a dozen of them, men +of different birth and upbringing, though all had the +same quiet brown faces and steadiness of gaze. For the +most part, they were dressed in duck, though Waynefleet +and the hotel-keeper wore city clothes. The room +was barely furnished, and panelled roughly with cedar-boards; +but it had wide casements, from which those +who sat in it could look out upon a strip of frothing +river and the sombre forest that rolled up the rocky +hills. The windows were wide open, and the smell of +wood-smoke and the resinous odours of the firs flowed +in. A look of expectancy crept into the men’s faces, and +the murmur of their conversation suddenly fell away, +when Nasmyth sat down at the head of the long table +with Gordon at one side of him.</p> +<p>“Boys,” said Nasmyth, “one or two of you know +why Gordon asked you here to meet me, but I had better +roughly explain my project before I go any further. +I’ll ask you to give me your close attention for the next +three or four minutes.”</p> +<p>When he stopped speaking there was a very suggestive +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_222' name='page_222'></a>222</span> +silence for a moment. Those who heard him had +not the quick temperament of the men of the Western +cities. They lived in the stillness of the Bush, and +thought before they undertook anything, though, when +they moved, it was usually to some purpose. One of +the men stood up with a deprecatory gesture.</p> +<p>“Well,” he declared, “it’s a great idea. Boys, +wouldn’t you call us blame fools for not thinking of it +before?”</p> +<p>He sat down suddenly, before anybody answered him, +and the men were still again until another of them rose.</p> +<p>“Nasmyth’s not quite through yet,” he said. “We’ll +ask him to go ahead.”</p> +<p>Gordon leaned forward, and touched his comrade’s +arm.</p> +<p>“Pitch it to them strong. You’re getting hold,” he +whispered encouragingly.</p> +<p>For another five minutes Nasmyth spoke as he felt +that he had never spoken before. He was intent and +strung up, and he knew that a great deal depended upon +the effect he could make. He had failed with the men +of the cities, who wanted all the profit. He felt sure +that he would henceforward have one or two of them +against him, and it was clear that he must either abandon +his project or win over these hard-handed men of the +Bush. With them behind him, there was, he felt, little +that he need shrink from attempting. A ring crept into +his voice as he went on, for he knew that he was getting +hold as he saw their lips set and the resolute expression +of their eyes. They were men who, by strenuous +toil, wrung a bare living out of the forest, and now +there was laid before them a scheme that in its sheer +daring seized upon their attention.</p> +<p>“Boys,” Nasmyth concluded, “I am in your hands. +This thing is too big for me to go into alone. Still, it’s +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_223' name='page_223'></a>223</span> +due to you to say that, while I meant to give you an +option of standing in, it seemed to me it would simplify +the thing if I raised most of the money before I came to +you. Money is usually scarce in the Bush.”</p> +<p>“That’s a fact,” agreed the shrewd-faced hotel-keeper, +who also conducted the store. “Anyway, when you have +to trade with folks who take twelve months to square +up their bills in.”</p> +<p>Nobody seemed to heed him, and Nasmyth added:</p> +<p>“Well, I found I couldn’t do it––that is, if I wanted +to keep anything for myself. I want you to come in, +and as soon as I hear you’re ready to give it your attention, +I’ll lay a proposition before you.”</p> +<p>He sat looking at them, in a state of tense anxiety, +until one of them rose to his feet.</p> +<p>“I guess you can count upon every one of us,” he +announced.</p> +<p>A reassuring murmur ran along the double row of +men, and Nasmyth felt a thrill of exultation.</p> +<p>“Thank you, boys,” he said with evident gratitude. +“Now, there are difficulties to be grappled with. To +begin with, the Crown authorities would sooner have +leased the valley to me, and it was some time before +they decided that as a special concession they would sell +it in six hundred and forty acre lots at the lowest figure +for first-class lands. The lots are to be laid off in rectangular +blocks, and as the valley is narrow and winding, +that takes in a proportion of heavy timber on the hill +bench, and will not include quite a strip of natural +prairie, which remains with the Crown. The cost of +the land alone runs close on twenty thousand dollars, +of which, one way or another, I can raise about eight +thousand.”</p> +<p>He looked at Wheeler, who sat near the lower end +of the table, and he nodded.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_224' name='page_224'></a>224</span></div> +<p>“My offer stands,” he said.</p> +<p>“You want another twelve thousand dollars,” said +the hotel-keeper dubiously. “It’s quite a pile of money.”</p> +<p>There was a little laughter from the men. “Well,” +said one of them, “I guess we can raise it somehow +among us, but it’s going to be a pull.”</p> +<p>“Then,” said Nasmyth, “we have provided for the +cost of the land, but before we lower the fall and cut +the drainage trenches in the valley we will run up a +big bill––that is, if we hire hands. My notion is that +we undertake the work ourselves, and credit every man +with his share in it to count as a mortgage on the +whole land that belongs to us.”</p> +<p>Waynefleet stood up and waved his hand. “I want to +point out that this is very vague,” he objected. “The +question will arise where the labour is to be applied. It +would, for instance, be scarcely judicious to give a +man a claim on everybody else for draining his own +land.”</p> +<p>He would have said more, but that Tom of Mattawa +laid a hard hand on his shoulder and jerked him back +into his chair.</p> +<p>“Now,” Tom admonished, “you just sit down. +When Nasmyth takes this thing in hand he’ll put it +through quite straight. What you’d do in a month +wouldn’t count for five dollars, anyway.”</p> +<p>Everybody laughed, and Wheeler spoke again. “We’ll +get over that trouble by cutting so many big trenches +only for the general benefit. In the meanwhile Mr. +Nasmyth said something about trustees.”</p> +<p>“I did,” said Nasmyth. “The Crown will sell in +rectangular six hundred and forty acre blocks. My proposition +is that we take them up in three separate names. +You have to understand that the man who registers in +the Crown deed is legal owner.”</p> +<p>“Then we’re sure of two of them,” declared the hotel-keeper. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_225' name='page_225'></a>225</span> +“Nasmyth takes the first block, and Wheeler +the other.”</p> +<p>Wheeler laughed. “I guess I stand out. As a United +States citizen, I’m not sure I’m eligible to record Crown +lands. Still, since Nasmyth and I are putting up a +good many of the dollars, I’ll nominate Gordon.”</p> +<p>As one man they decided on that, but there appeared +to be a difficulty about the third trustee until Nasmyth +turned to them.</p> +<p>“As you don’t seem sure about him, I would like to +suggest Mr. Waynefleet, boys,” he said. “He is a man +who has an extensive acquaintance with business and +legal affairs.”</p> +<p>There was dead silence for several moments, and the +men looked at one another uneasily. It was evident +that the suggestion was unwelcome to most of them, and +Nasmyth was quite aware that he was doing an unpopular +thing. In the meanwhile dusk had crept up the +valley, and the room was growing dim. Perhaps Waynefleet +could not see his companions’ faces very well, but it +is also possible that, had he been able to do so, he would +not have troubled himself about the hesitation in most +of them. There are men of his kind who appear incapable +of recognizing the fact that they are not regarded +with general favour.</p> +<p>Finally one of the men spoke. “Seeing that the +scheme is Nasmyth’s, I guess it’s only reasonable to fall +in with his views as far as we can,” he said. “We’ll +fix on Waynefleet.”</p> +<p>There was a murmur of very dubious agreement, and +Waynefleet, who stood up, smiled on the assembly patronizingly. +His manner suggested that he was about to +confer a favour.</p> +<p>“Our friend was warranted in mentioning that I have +been accustomed to handling affairs of a somewhat similar +nature, but of considerably greater magnitude,” he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_226' name='page_226'></a>226</span> +said. “I have pleasure in placing what abilities I possess +at your disposal, gentlemen.”</p> +<p>Though it was growing dark, Nasmyth saw the amused +light in Gordon’s eyes. “I’m with you in this,” said +Gordon. “Still, I scarcely figured the boys would have +stood him.”</p> +<p>They discussed the scheme at length, and when the +assembly broke up, Waynefleet approached the table +where Gordon, Nasmyth and Wheeler sat under a big +lamp.</p> +<p>“There is a point I did not mention at the time. It +seemed to me it was one that could, perhaps, be arranged,” +said Waynefleet. “It is, of course, usual for +a director of any kind to hold a certain financial interest +in the scheme.”</p> +<p>He looked at Nasmyth, and made a significant gesture. +“Unfortunately there are not at the moment more than +a very few dollars at my disposal. The fact, you will +recognize, is likely to hamper my efforts in an administrative +capacity.”</p> +<p>“Precisely!” said Nasmyth. “It is a matter I have +provided for. You will be placed in possession of a holding +of the size the others fixed upon as convenient when +the blocks are divided off.”</p> +<p>“No larger?”</p> +<p>“No,” answered Nasmyth; “I am afraid you will +have to be content with that.”</p> +<p>Waynefleet went out, and Gordon turned to Nasmyth. +“It’s going to cost you something,” he said. “You can’t +charge it on the scheme. I’ll divide it with you.”</p> +<p>There was a slight restraint in Nasmyth’s manner. +“I’m afraid I can’t permit it. It will be charged against +my claim. Considering everything, it was a thing I felt +I had to do.”</p> +<p>Then Wheeler, who had been quietly watching them, +broke in.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_227' name='page_227'></a>227</span></div> +<p>“What did you put that image up for, anyway?” he +asked.</p> +<p>Gordon smiled in a significant fashion. “It’s our +friend’s affair, and I guess he’s not going to tell you +why he did it. Still, in one sense, I ’most think it was +up to him.”</p> +<p>Wheeler let the matter drop, and in a few more minutes +they went out, and Nasmyth and Gordon turned +into the trail that led to Gordon’s ranch.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_228' name='page_228'></a>228</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXII_NASMYTH_SETS_TO_WORK' id='CHAPTER_XXII_NASMYTH_SETS_TO_WORK'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXII</h2> +<h3>NASMYTH SETS TO WORK</h3> +</div> +<p>It was a scorching afternoon on the heights above, +where rocky slope and climbing firs ran far up towards +the blue heavens under a blazing sun, but it was dim +and cool in the misty depths of the cañon. There was +eternal shadow in that tremendous rift, and a savage +desolation rolled away from it; but on this afternoon the +sounds of human activity rang along its dusky walls. +The dull thud of axes fell from a gully that rent the +mountain-side, and now and then a mass of shattered +rock came crashing down, while the sharp clinking of +the drills broke intermittently through the hoarse roar +of the fall. Wet with the spray of the fall, Nasmyth, +stripped to blue shirt and old duck trousers, stood swinging +a heavy hammer, which he brought down upon the +head of the steel bar that his companion held so many +times a minute with rhythmic precision. Though they +changed round now and then, he had done much the +same thing since early morning, and his back and arms +ached almost intolerably; but still the great hammer +whirled about his head, and while he gasped with the +effort, came down with a heavy jar upon the drill. So +intent was he that he did not notice the three figures +scrambling along the narrow log-work staging pinned +against the rocky side above the fall, until his companion +flung a word at him. Turning with a start, he dropped +his hammer.</p> +<p>He saw Gordon hold out a hand to Laura Waynefleet, +who sprang down from the staging upon the strip of +smooth-worn stone that stretched out from the wall of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_229' name='page_229'></a>229</span> +the cañon above the fall. Wheeler was a few paces behind +them. Nasmyth looked around for his jacket, and, +remembering that he had left it in the gully, he moved +forward to shake hands with his visitors.</p> +<p>“I scarcely expected to see any of you here. You +must have had a hard scramble,” he said.</p> +<p>Gordon waved his hand. “You don’t say you’re +pleased, though after the trouble we’ve taken, it’s a +sure thing that you ought to be,” he declared. “Anyway, +I’m not going back up that gully until I’ve had +supper. Wheeler’s held up because his folks haven’t sent +him some machines, and I came along to see if I’d forgotten +how to hold a drill. I don’t quite know what +Miss Waynefleet came for.”</p> +<p>Laura laughed good-humouredly. “Oh,” she said, +“I have my excuse. My father is at Victoria, and I have +been staying with Mrs. Potter for a day or two. She +lent me a cayuse to ride over to Fenton’s ranch, and the +trail there leads close by the head of the gully.”</p> +<p>Mattawa looked up at Gordon with a grin. “If you +want to do some drilling, you can start right now,” he +remarked. “Guess Nasmyth doesn’t know he has a back +on him.”</p> +<p>Gordon took up the hammer, and, when Wheeler +went back to the gully to inquire whether one of the +men at work there would undertake some timber-squaring +he wanted done at the mill, Laura Waynefleet and +Nasmyth were left together. It was wetter than was comfortable +near the fall, and, scrambling back across the +staging, they sat down among the boulders near the +foot of the rapid that swirled out of the pool. Nasmyth +looked at Laura, who smiled.</p> +<p>“I am afraid I have taken you away from your work, +and I haven’t Gordon’s excuse,” she said. “He, at least, +is able to drill.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth laughed. “I observe that Tom seems very +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_230' name='page_230'></a>230</span> +careful of his hands,” he returned. “As to the other +matter, I am very glad you did come. After all, drilling +isn’t exactly a luxurious occupation; and while, as Tom +remarked, I’m a little uncertain about my back, I’m +quite sure I’m in possession of a pair of arms, because +they ache abominably. Besides”––and his gaze was +whimsically reproachful––“do you really think any +excuse is needed for coming to see me?”</p> +<p>“In any case, I have one; there is something I want +to say. You see, I have not come across you since the +meeting at the settlement.”</p> +<p>“I suppose you object to your father taking any share +in our crazy venture?”</p> +<p>A faint flicker of colour crept into Laura’s cheek. +“You know I don’t,” she replied. “It is the one thing +I could have wished for him; indeed, I shall be thankful +if he takes a sustaining interest in the scheme, as he +seems disposed to do. It will be of benefit to him in +many ways. He grows moody and discontented at the +ranch.”</p> +<p>She broke off for a moment, and her voice had changed +when she went on again. “There is one point that +troubles me––you provided my father with the money to +take his share in the venture.”</p> +<p>“No,” explained Nasmyth; “I think I can say that +I didn’t. I have merely set apart for him so many acres +of swamp and virgin forest. He will have to earn his +title to them by assisting in what we may call the administration, +as well as by physical labour.”</p> +<p>Laura looked at Nasmyth with quiet eyes. “Would +you or Gordon consider it a good bargain to part with a +single acre for all the advice he can offer you?” she +asked.</p> +<p>Nasmyth sat silent a moment, gravely regarding her. +There was a little more colour in her face, but her composure +and her fearless honesty appealed to him. She +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_231' name='page_231'></a>231</span> +was attired very plainly in a print dress, made, as he +knew, by her own fingers. The gown had somehow +escaped serious damage in the scramble down the gully. +It harmonized with the pale-tinted stone, and it seemed +to him that its wearer fitted curiously into her surroundings. +He had noticed this often before, and it had +occurred to him that she had acquired something of the +strength and unchangeableness of the wilderness. Perhaps +she had, though it is also possible that the quiet +steadfastness had been born in her, and perfected slowly +under stress and strain.</p> +<p>“Well,” Nasmyth broke out impulsively, “if it had +been you to whom we made that block over, I could +have abdicated with confidence and have left it all to +you.”</p> +<p>Laura smiled, and Nasmyth became sensible that his +face had grown a deeper red.</p> +<p>“Whatever made you say that?” she asked.</p> +<p>“I don’t quite know.” Nasmyth’s manner was deprecatory. +“After all, it’s hardly fair to hold a man accountable +for everything he may chance to say. Anyway, +I think I meant it.”</p> +<p>Something in his voice suggested that he was of the +same mind still, but Laura glanced at him again.</p> +<p>“Aren’t we getting away from the subject?” she +queried. “The land you made over to my father must +have cost you something. It is a thing I rather shrink +from mentioning, but have you any expectation of ever +getting the money back?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth did not exactly understand, until a considerable +time afterwards, why he was so deeply stirred by +what she had said, and he was quite mistaken in fancying +that it was merely her courage that touched his heart. +In the meanwhile, he was clearly sensible of at least a +great pity for her.</p> +<p>“Well,” he told her, “we can look at things openly, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_232' name='page_232'></a>232</span> +and not try to persuade ourselves that they’re something +else. I think that is one of the things that you have +taught me. Now, suppose I haven’t any expectation of +the kind you mention. How does that count? Didn’t +you take me in when you found me lying in the snow? +Isn’t it practically certain that I owe my life to you? +Admitting all that, is there any reason why you shouldn’t +permit me to offer you a trifling favour, not for your +own sake, but your father’s?”</p> +<p>He broke off for a moment with a forceful gesture. +“I might, no doubt, have suppressed all this and made +some conventional answer, but, you see, one has to be +honest with you. Can you persuade yourself that I don’t +know what you have to bear at the ranch, and how your +father’s moody discontent must burden you? Isn’t it +clear that if he takes an interest in this project and forgets +to worry about his little troubles, it will make life +easier for both of you?”</p> +<p>Laura looked at him curiously. “After all, it is my +life. Why should you be so anxious to make it easier?”</p> +<p>The question troubled Nasmyth. It seemed to go +beyond the reason he had offered her a moment or two +earlier. Indeed, it flashed upon him that the fact that +he certainly owed a good deal to her was not in itself +quite sufficient to account for the anxiety he felt.</p> +<p>“Well,” he answered, “if the grounds I mentioned +don’t appear to warrant my doing what I did, I can’t +at the moment think of anything more convincing. It’s +one consolation that you couldn’t upset the little arrangement +now, if you wanted to. Your father’s going into +the thing headlong.”</p> +<p>Somewhat to his astonishment the girl appeared embarrassed +as she glanced away from him. It was a +moment or two before she looked around again.</p> +<p>“Ah!” she exclaimed, “I don’t want to upset it. +He has not been so well and contented for several years. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_233' name='page_233'></a>233</span> +It has lifted him out of his moodiness.” Then she leaned +a little toward him. “I dare not refuse this favour +from you.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth was puzzled by a vague something in her +manner.</p> +<p>“I certainly can’t see why you should want to; but +we’ll talk of something else,” he replied. “As you have +noticed, I have set to work, though I expect it will be +winter before we make any very great impression.”</p> +<p>Laura glanced up the gloomy cañon, which was filled +with the river’s clammy, drifting mist. “Winter,” she +said, “will be terrible here. Then you are not going +back to the coast or Victoria for some time?”</p> +<p>“Certainly not, if I can help it.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth spoke without reflection, but he felt what +he said, and it was a moment before he realized that he +might have expressed himself less decisively. He saw +the smile on Laura’s lips.</p> +<p>“So you have heard?” he asked. “There was, of +course, no reason why Gordon shouldn’t have told you. +It was a thing I had meant to do myself, only, as it +happened, I haven’t seen you. After that last speech of +mine, I must explain that I feel there is a certain obligation +on me to stay away. Miss Hamilton, as a matter +of fact, is not engaged to me. Nothing can be settled +until I carry out this project successfully.”</p> +<p>Laura Waynefleet’s face was very quiet, and he sat +silent a moment or two, wondering somewhat uneasily +what she was thinking. He was also slightly surprised +at himself, for he realized that, after all, he had found +it considerably easier to stay away than he had expected. +Indeed, during the last few weeks, when every moment +of his time had been occupied, he had thought of nothing +except the work before him. It occurred to him for the +first time that it was curious that he had been able to +do so.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_234' name='page_234'></a>234</span></div> +<p>“You see,” he made haste to explain, “in the meanwhile +I must endeavour to put everything except this +scheme out of my mind.”</p> +<p>Again he was troubled by Laura Waynefleet’s little +smile.</p> +<p>“Yes,” she said; “in one way, no doubt, that would +be the wisest course. I’m not sure, however, that everybody +would have sufficient strength of will.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth said nothing further for a while, but––though +he was probably not aware of this––his face grew +thoughtful as he gazed at the river until his companion +spoke again.</p> +<p>“Was it Miss Hamilton’s wish that you should make +your mark first?” she inquired.</p> +<p>“No,” answered Nasmyth decisively; “I want you +to understand that it was mine. She merely concurred +in it.”</p> +<p>He changed the subject abruptly. “Tell me about +yourself.”</p> +<p>“There is so little to tell. One day is so much like +another with me, only I have been rather busier than +usual lately. My father has had to cut down expenses. +We have no hired man.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth set his lips and half-consciously closed one +hand. It seemed to him an almost intolerable thing that +this girl should waste her youth and sweetness dragging +out a life of unremitting toil in the lone Bush. Still, +while her father lived, there was nothing else she could +look forward to, and he could imagine how the long +colourless years would roll away with her, while she lost +her freshness and grew hard and worn with petty cares +and labour that needed a stronger arm than hers. She +might grow discontented, he fancied, and perhaps a trifle +bitter, though he could not imagine her becoming querulous.</p> +<p>As yet there was a great patience in her steady eyes. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_235' name='page_235'></a>235</span> +Then it became evident that she guessed what he was +thinking.</p> +<p>“Sometimes I feel the prospect in front of me is not +a very attractive one,” she responded in answer to his +thoughts. “Still, one can get over that by not regarding +it as a prospect at all. It simplifies the thing when +one takes it day by day.”</p> +<p>She smiled at him. “Derrick, you have done wisely. +I think you need a sustaining purpose and a woman to +work for.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth’s face paled. “Yes,” he agreed dryly; “it +is, perhaps, rather a significant admission, but I really +think I do.”</p> +<p>It was a relief to both of them that Wheeler came +floundering along the shingle just then with a box and +a coil of wire in his hand.</p> +<p>“I’ve brought you a little present, Nasmyth,” he announced. +“Firing by fuse is going to be uncertain when +there’s so much spray about, and I sent down for this +electric fixing. We can charge it for you at any time at +the mill. Have you put in any giant-powder yet?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth said they had not fired a heavy charge about +the fall, but that there were several holes ready for +filling, and Wheeler’s eyes twinkled.</p> +<p>“I’m quite anxious to try this little toy,” he said. +“When I was young, a rancher gave me an old played-out +shot-gun, and I was out at sun-up next morning to +shoot something. That’s the kind of being a man is, +Miss Waynefleet. Put any kind of bottled-up power in +his hands, and he feels he must get up and make a bang +with it. After all, I guess it’s fortunate that he does.”</p> +<p>“Are all men like that?” Laura asked with a strange +undertone in her voice.</p> +<p>“Most of them,” said Wheeler, with an air of reflection. +“Of course, you do run across one here and +there who would put the bottled power carefully away +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_236' name='page_236'></a>236</span> +for fear that, when it went off, it might hurt him or +somebody. The trouble is that when a man of that +kind at last makes up his mind to use it he’s quite likely +to find that the power has gradually leaked out of the +bottle. Power’s a very curious thing. If you don’t use +it, it has a way of evaporating.”</p> +<p>Gordon had joined them in the meanwhile, and Laura +looked at him.</p> +<p>“You agree with that?” she asked.</p> +<p>Gordon’s smile was suggestively grim. “Oh, yes,” he +said. “I guess our friend now and then says some rather +forceful things. Anyway, he has hit it with this one. +For instance, there was that little matter of the man +who was sick at his mill. A surgeon with nerve and +hands could have fixed him up. We”––and he made an +expressive gesture––“packed him out to Victoria.”</p> +<p>He laughed harshly as he went on: “Well, that’s +partly why we’re going to set our mark on this cañon, +if it’s only to make it clear that we’re not quite played +out yet. You’ll ram that hole full of your strongest +powder, Derrick.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth turned and waved his hand to a man at the +foot of the gully.</p> +<p>“Bring me down the magazine!” he ordered. +“We’re going to split that rock before supper.”</p> +<p>The man, who disappeared, came back again with an +iron box, and for the next few minutes Nasmyth, who +scrambled about the rocks above the fall, taking a coil +of thin wire with him, was busy. When he rejoined his +companions, he led them a little further down the cañon +until he pointed to a shelf of rock from which they had +a clear view of the fall. A handful of men had clambered +down the gully, and now they stood in a cluster +upon the strip of shingle. Nasmyth indicated them with +a wave of his hand before he held a little wooden box +with brass pegs projecting from it up to Laura.</p> +<p>“It’s the first big charge we have fired, and they seem +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_237' name='page_237'></a>237</span> +to feel it’s something of an event,” he said. “In one +way, it’s a declaration of war we’re making, and there +is a good deal against us. You fit this plug into the +socket when you’re ready.”</p> +<p>“You mean me to fire the charge?” inquired Laura.</p> +<p>“Yes,” answered Nasmyth quietly. “It’s fitting that +you should be the one to set us at our work. If it hadn’t +been for you, I should certainly not have taken this thing +up, and now I want to feel that you are anxious for our +success.”</p> +<p>A faint flush of colour crept into Laura Waynefleet’s +face. For one thing, Nasmyth’s marriage to the +dark-eyed girl whom Gordon had described to her depended +on the success of this venture, and that was a +fact which had its effect on her. Still, she felt, the +scheme would have greater results than that, and, turning +gravely, she glanced at the men who had gathered upon +the shingle. They looked very little and feeble as they +clustered together, in face of that almost overwhelming +manifestation of the great primeval forces against which +they had pitted themselves in the bottom of the tremendous +rift. It seemed curious that they did not shrink +from the roar of the river which rang about them in +sonorous tones, and then, as she looked across the mad +rush of the rapid and the spray-shrouded fall to the stupendous +walls of rock that shut them in, the thing they +had undertaken seemed almost impossible. Wheeler appeared +to guess her thoughts, for he smiled as he pointed +to the duck-clad figures.</p> +<p>“Well,” he declared, “in one way they’re an insignificant +crowd. Very little to look at; and this cañon’s +big. Still, I guess they’re somehow going through with +the thing. It seems to me”––and he nodded to her with +sudden recognition of her part in the project––“it was +a pretty idea of Nasmyth’s when he asked you to start +them at it.”</p> +<p>Laura remembered that the leader of the men had +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_238' name='page_238'></a>238</span> +once said that he belonged to her. She smiled, and raised +the hand that held the firing key.</p> +<p>“Boys,” she said, “it’s a big thing you have undertaken––not +the getting of the money, but the beating +of the river, and the raising of tall oats and orchards +where only the sour swamp-grasses grew.” She turned +and for a moment looked into Nasmyth’s eyes, as she +added simply: “Good luck to you.”</p> +<p>She dropped her hand upon the little box, and in another +moment or two a rent opened in the smooth-worn +stretch of rock above the fall. Out of it there shot a +blaze of light that seemed to grow in brilliance with +incredible swiftness, until it spread itself apart in a +dazzling corruscation. Then the roar of the river was +drowned in the detonation, and long clouds of smoke +whirled up. Through the smoke rose showers of stones +and masses of leaping rock that smote with a jarring +crash upon the walls of the cañon. After that came a +great splashing that died away suddenly, and there was +only the hoarse roar of the river pouring through the +newly opened gap. Laura turned and handed the box +to Nasmyth.</p> +<p>“Now,” she said, “I have done my part, and I am +only sorry that it is such a trifling one.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth looked at her with a gleam in his eyes.</p> +<p>He answered softly: “You are behind it all. It is +due to you that I am making some attempt to use the +little power in my possession, instead of letting it melt +away.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_239' name='page_239'></a>239</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXIII_THE_DERRICK' id='CHAPTER_XXIII_THE_DERRICK'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIII</h2> +<h3>THE DERRICK</h3> +</div> +<p>A bitter frost had crept down from the snow-clad +heights that shut the cañon in, and the roar of the +river had fallen to a lower tone, when Nasmyth stood one +morning shivering close by the door of his rude log +shanty at the foot of the gully. The faint grey light was +growing slightly clearer, and he could see the clustering +spruces, in the hollow, gleam spectrally where their dark +masses were streaked with delicate silver filigree. Across +the river there was a dull glimmer from the wall of +rock, which the freezing spray had covered with a +glassy crust. Though it had not been long exposed to +the nipping morning air, Nasmyth felt his damp deer-hide +jacket slowly stiffening, and the edge of the sleeves, +which had been wet through the day before, commenced +to rasp his raw and swollen wrists.</p> +<p>He stood still for a minute or two listening to the +river and stretching himself wearily, for his back and +shoulders ached, and there was a distressful stiffness in +most of his joints that had resulted from exposure, in +spray-drenched clothing, to the stinging frost. This, +however, did not greatly trouble him, since he had +long realized that physical discomfort must be disregarded +if the work was to be carried on. Men, for the +most part, toil strenuously in that wild land. Indeed, it +is only by the tensest effort of which flesh and blood are +capable that the wilderness is broken to man’s domination, +for throughout much of it costly mechanical appliances +have not as yet displaced well-hardened muscle.</p> +<p>In most cases the Bushman who buys a forest ranch +has scarcely any money left when he has made the purchase. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_240' name='page_240'></a>240</span> +He finds the land covered with two-hundred-feet +firs, which must be felled, and sawn up, and rolled into +piles for burning by his own hand, and only those who +have handled trees of that kind can form any clear conception +of the labour such work entails. It is a long time +before the strip of cleared land will yield a scanty sustenance, +and in the meanwhile the Bushman must, every +now and then, hire himself out track-grading on the +railroads or chopping trails to obtain the money that +keeps him in tea and pork and flour. As a rule, he expects +nothing else, and there are times when he does not +get quite enough work. Men reared in this fashion grow +hard and tireless, and Nasmyth had been called upon to +lead a band of them. He had contrived to do it, so far, +but it was not astonishing that the toil had left a mark +on him.</p> +<p>He heard the drifting ice-cake crackle, as it leapt the +fall, and the sharp crash of it upon the boulders in the +rapid. It jarred on the duller roar of the river in intermittent +detonations as each heavy mass swept down. +There was, however, no other sound, and seizing a +hammer, he struck a suspended iron sheet until a voice +fell across the pines from the shadowy gully.</p> +<p>“Guess we’ll be down soon as it’s light enough,” it +said.</p> +<p>Then another voice rose from the shanty.</p> +<p>“The boys won’t see to make a start for half an +hour,” it said. “I don’t know any reason why you +shouldn’t shut the door and come right in. Breakfast’s +ready.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth turned and went into the shanty, conscious +that it would cost him an effort to get out of it again. +A stove snapped and crackled in the one room, which +was cosily warm. Gordon and Waynefleet sat before +the two big empty cases that served for table, and Mattawa +was ladling pork on to their plates from a blackened +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_241' name='page_241'></a>241</span> +frying-pan, Nasmyth sat down and ate hastily, while +the light from the lamp hanging beneath the roof-beams +fell upon his face, which was gaunt and roughened by +the sting of bitter spray and frost. His hands were raw +and cracked.</p> +<p>“I want to get that rock-dump hove out of the pool +before it’s dark,” he said. “One can’t see to crawl +over those ice-crusted rocks by firelight.”</p> +<p>Gordon glanced at Mattawa, who grinned. “Well,” +said Mattawa, “it was only yesterday when I fell in, +and I figured Charly was going right under the fall +the day before. Oh, yes, I guess we’d better get the +thing through while it’s light.”</p> +<p>“I have felt inclined to wonder if it wouldn’t be +advisable to suspend operations if this frost continues,” +said Waynefleet reflectively.</p> +<p>“Our charter lays it down that the work is to be +carried on continuously,” answered Gordon. “Still, on +due notice being given, it permits a stoppage of not exceeding +one month, owing to stress of weather or insuperable +natural difficulties. As a matter of fact, even +with the fire going, it’s practically impossible to keep the +frost out of the stone.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth looked up sharply. “The work goes on. +There will be no stoppage of any kind. We can’t afford +it. The thing already has cost us two or three times +as much as I had anticipated.”</p> +<p>Gordon looked amused, though he said nothing further. +Nasmyth was up against it, with his back to the +wall, but that fact had roused all the resolution there +was in him, and he had shown no sign of flinching. It +was evident that he must fight or fail ignominiously, and +he had grown grimmer and more determined as each +fresh obstacle presented itself while the strenuous weeks +rolled on. There was silence for a few minutes, and +then Mattawa grinned at Waynefleet.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_242' name='page_242'></a>242</span></div> +<p>“I guess you’ve got to keep that rock from freezing, +and the fire was kind of low when I last looked out,” +he remarked.</p> +<p>With a frown of resignation Waynefleet rose wearily +and went out, for it was his part to keep a great fire +going day and night. This was one of the few things +he could do, and, though it entailed a good deal of +sturdy labour with the axe, he had, somewhat to his +comrades’ astonishment, accomplished it reasonably well. +In another minute or two Nasmyth followed him, and +when the rest of the men came clattering down from +the shanty, higher up the gully, they set to work.</p> +<p>There was just light enough to see by, and no more, +for, though the frost was bitter, heavy snow-clouds hung +about the hills. Shingle and boulders were covered with +frozen spray, and long spears of ice stretched out into +the pool below the fall. Now and then a block of ice +drove athwart them with a detonating crackle. The +pool was lower than it had been in summer, and the +stream frothed in angry eddies in the midst of it, where +shattered masses of rock rent by the blasting charges lay +as they had fallen. It was essential that the rock should +be cleared away, and a great redwood log with a rounded +foot let into a socket swung by wire rope guys above the +pool. Another wire rope with a pair of iron claws at +the end of it ran over a block at the head of the log to +the winch below, and the primitive derrick and its fittings +had cost Nasmyth a great deal of money, as well +as a week’s arduous labour.</p> +<p>They swung the apparatus over the pile of submerged +rock, and, when the claws fell with a splash, they hove +at the winch, two of them at each handle, until a mass +of stone rose from the stream. Then one guy was slackened, +and another hauled upon, until the rock swung +over the shingle across the river, where they let it fall. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_243' name='page_243'></a>243</span> +Part of the growing pile would be used to build the +road by which they brought supplies down the gully.</p> +<p>In itself the work was arduous enough, since four +men alone could toil at the winch, and some of the +masses they raised were ponderous. Indeed, there was +scarcely room for four persons on the shelf hewn out +above the tail of the pool, and the narrow strip of stone +was slippery with ice. Fine spray that froze on all it +touched whirled about the workers, and every now and +then a heavy fragment that slipped from the claws fell +with a great splash. Nasmyth’s wrists grew raw from +the rasp of the hide jacket, and wide cracks opened in +his fingers.</p> +<p>“I remember it as cold as this only once before,” he +said. “It was during the few days I spent between the +logging camp and Waynefleet’s ranch.”</p> +<p>Mattawa, who hove on the same handle, grinned. +“Well,” he said, “this is a tolerable sample of blame +hard weather while it lasts, but we get months of it +back East. Still, I guess we don’t work then. No, sir, +unless we’re chopping, we sit tight round the stove.”</p> +<p>Mattawa was right in this. Excepting the loggers +and the Northwest Police, men do not work in the +open at that temperature back East, nor would they +attempt it on the Pacific Slope were the cold continuous. +In the western half of British Columbia, however, long +periods of severe weather are rare. It is a variable zone, +swept now and then by damp, warm breezes, and men +tell of sheltered valleys where flowers blow the year +round, though very few of those who ramble up and +down the Mountain Province ever chance upon them. +But there are times when the devastating cold of the +Polar regions descends upon the lonely ranges, as it had +done upon the frost-bound cañon.</p> +<p>Those who toiled with Nasmyth were hardened men, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_244' name='page_244'></a>244</span> +and they held on with cracked hands clenched on the +winch-handles, or they splashed through the icy shallows +with the water in their boots, until, a little before +their dinner-hour, when three of them stood straining +by Nasmyth’s side beneath the derrick as a mass of rock +rose slowly to the surface of the pool. Mattawa glanced +at this weight dubiously, and then up at the wire guy +that gleamed with frozen spray high above his head.</p> +<p>“I guess we’ve dropped on to a big one this time,” +he said. “She’s going to be heavier when we heave her +clear of the river.”</p> +<p>This, of course, was correct, and it was clear to Nasmyth +that it was only by a strenuous effort that his +comrades were raising the stone then. Still, it must be +lifted, and he tightened his grasp upon the handle.</p> +<p>“Heave! Lift her out!” he said.</p> +<p>The veins rose swollen on their foreheads, and they +gasped as they obeyed him, but as the stone rose dripping +there was an ominous creaking overhead.</p> +<p>“Guess she’s drawing the anchor-bolts,” cried one. +“We’ll fetch the whole thing down. Shall I let her +run?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth flung a sharp glance at the big iron holdfast +sunk in the rock above. There would, he knew, be +trouble if that or the wire guy gave way, but it was +only at some hazard that anything could be done in the +cañon.</p> +<p>“Hold on!” he said hoarsely. “Slack that guy, and +let her swing.”</p> +<p>There was a clink and jar as the clutch took the +weight off them; a wire rope set up a harsh rasping, +and as Gordon jerked a guiding-line across the river, +the great boom swung, trailing the heavy stone just +above the water. Then the ominous creak grew sharper, +and one of them shouted.</p> +<p>“Jump!” he said. “She’s going!”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_245' name='page_245'></a>245</span></div> +<p>Two of them sprang on the instant into the pool, and +washed out with the crackling ice-cake into the rapid at +the tail of it. It was precisely what most men who +could swim would have done, but Nasmyth stayed, and +Mattawa stayed with him. Nasmyth did not think +very clearly, but he remembered subconsciously what the +construction of that derrick had cost him. There was a +lever which would release the load and let it run. He +had his hand on it when he turned to his companion.</p> +<p>“Strip that handle, Tom,” he said.</p> +<p>The iron crank that would have hurled him into the +river as its span fell with a rattle, and that was one +peril gone; but the lever he grasped was difficult to move, +and his hands were stiff and numb. Still he persisted, +and Mattawa watched him, because there was only room +for one, until there was a crash above them, and the +tilted top of the great boom came down. Mattawa, flattened +against the rock side, held his breath as the mass of +timber rushed towards the pool, and next moment saw +that Nasmyth was no longer standing on the shelf. Nasmyth +lay partly beneath the shattered winch, and his +face was grey, except for a red scar down one side of it. +His eyes, however, were open, and Mattawa gasped with +relief when he heard the injured man speak.</p> +<p>“It cleared my body. I’m fast by the hand,” said +Nasmyth.</p> +<p>Three or four minutes had slipped by before the rest +scrambled upon the ledge with handspikes, and then it +cost them a determined effort before they moved the redwood +log an inch or two. Gordon, kneeling by Nasmyth’s +side, drew the crushed arm from under it. +Nasmyth raised himself on one elbow, and lifted a red +and pulpy hand that hung from the wrist. With an +effort that set his face awry, he straightened it.</p> +<p>“I can move it,” he said. “I don’t know how it got +under the thing, or what hit me in the face.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_246' name='page_246'></a>246</span></div> +<p>“It doesn’t matter, either,” said Gordon quietly. +“Can you get up?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth blinked at him. “Of course,” he answered. +“As a general thing, I walk with my legs. They’re not +hurt.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth staggered to his feet, and, while Gordon +grasped his shoulder, floundered over the log staging +laid athwart the fall and back to the shanty. Gordon +was busy with him there for some time. After the +crushed hand had been bound up Gordon flung the door +open and spoke to the men outside.</p> +<p>“It’s only his hand, and there’s nothing broken,” he +announced. “You can get your dinner. We’ll see +about heaving the derrick up when you’ve eaten.”</p> +<p>He went back and filled Nasmyth’s pipe.</p> +<p>“I expect it hurts,” he said.</p> +<p>Nasmyth nodded. “Yes,” he replied, “quite enough.”</p> +<p>“Well,” said Gordon, “I don’t know that it’s any +consolation, but if you expose it at this temperature, it’s +going to hurt you considerably more. You can’t do +anything worth while with one hand, and that the one +you don’t generally use, either. There’s a rip upon your +face that may give you trouble, too. I’m going to pack +you out to-morrow.”</p> +<p>“The difficulty is that I’m not disposed to go.”</p> +<p>“Your wishes are not going to be consulted. If there’s +no other way, I’ll appeal to the boys. I’d let you stay +if you were a reasonable man, and would lie quiet beside +the stove until that hand got better; but since it’s quite +clear that nobody could keep you there, you’re starting +to-morrow for Waynefleet’s ranch.”</p> +<p>Gordon turned to Waynefleet. “We’ll lay you off +for a week. There’s a little business waiting at the settlement, +anyway, and you can see about getting the new +tools and provisions in.”</p> +<p>Waynefleet’s face was expressive of a vast relief. The +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_247' name='page_247'></a>247</span> +few bitter weeks spent in the cañon had taken a good +deal of the keenness he had once displayed out of him.</p> +<p>“I certainly think the arrangement suggested is a very +desirable one,” he agreed “I am quite sure that Miss +Waynefleet will have much pleasure in looking after +Nasmyth.”</p> +<p>Gordon turned to Nasmyth. “Now,” he said, “you +can protest just as much as you like, but still, as you’ll +start to-morrow if we have to tie you on to the pack-horse, +it’s not going to be very much use. You can nurse +your hand for a week, and then go on to Victoria and +see if you can pick up a boring-machine of the kind +we want cheap.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth, who was aware that the machine must be +purchased before very long, submitted with the best grace +he could, and, though his hand was painful, he contrived +to sleep most of the afternoon. Now that he was +disabled and could not work, he began to feel the strain. +He set out with Waynefleet at sunrise next morning, and +they passed the day scrambling over the divide, and +winding in and out among withered fern and thickets as +they descended a rocky valley. Here and there they +found an easier pathway on the snow-sheeted reaches of +a frozen stream, and only left it to plunge once more +into the undergrowth when the ice crackled under them. +They had a pack-horse with them, for now and then one +of the men made a laborious journey to the settlement +for provisions, and in places a fallen tree had been +chopped through or a thicket partly hewn away. That, +however, did little to relieve the difficulties of the march, +for the trail was rudimentary, and the first two leagues +of it would probably have severely taxed the strength of +a vigorous man unaccustomed to the Bush.</p> +<p>But they pushed on, Waynefleet riding when it was +possible, while Nasmyth plodded beside the horse’s head, +until a cloud of whirling snow broke upon them as they +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_248' name='page_248'></a>248</span> +floundered through a belt of thinner Bush. The snow +wrapped them in its filmy folds, gathering thick upon +their garments and filling their eyes, and Nasmyth grew +anxious as the daylight suddenly died out. They were +in a valley, out of which they could not very well wander +without knowing it, and they stumbled on, smashing into +thickets and swerving round fallen trees, until they +struck a clearer trail, and it was with relief that Nasmyth +saw a tall split-rail fence close in front of him. +He threw a strip of it down, and then turned to Waynefleet +when he dimly made out a blink of light in the +whirling haze of snow.</p> +<p>“If you will go in and tell Miss Waynefleet, I’ll try +to put the horse up,” he said.</p> +<p>Waynefleet swung himself down stiffly and vanished +into the snow. He was half frozen, and it did not occur +to him that Nasmyth had only one hand with which to +loose the harness. It is also possible that he would have +made no protest if it had.</p> +<p>Nasmyth reached the stable, and contrived to find and +to light the lantern, but he discovered that it would be +difficult to do anything more. His sound hand was +numbed. His fingers would not bend, and the buckles +of the harness held, in spite of his efforts, but he persisted. +The struggle he was waging in the cañon had +stirred him curiously, and each fresh obstacle roused him +to a half-savage determination. Though the action sent +a thrill of pain through him, he laid his bound-up hand +upon the headstall, and set his lips as he tore at a buckle. +He felt that if the thing cost him hours of effort he would +not be beaten.</p> +<p>He had, however, let his hand fall back into the bandage +that hung from his neck, when the door opened and +Laura Waynefleet came in. She saw him leaning against +the side of the stall, with a greyness in his face, which +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_249' name='page_249'></a>249</span> +had an angry red scar down one side of it, and her eyes +shone with compassion.</p> +<p>“Sit down,” she said. “I will do that.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth, who straightened himself, shook his head. +“I can manage it if you will loose the buckles,” he said. +“One feels a little awkward with only one hand.”</p> +<p>They did it together, and then Nasmyth sat down, +with his face drawn and lined. Laura stood still a moment +or two with the lantern in her hand.</p> +<p>“The snow must be deep on the divide, and it is a +very rough trail. I suppose you walked all the way?” +she said.</p> +<p>Nasmyth contrived to smile. “As it happens, I am +used to it.”</p> +<p>There was a flash of indignation in the girl’s eyes, for +she had, after all, a spice of temper, and she was naturally +acquainted with her father’s character. Her anger had, +however, disappeared next moment.</p> +<p>“You are looking ill,” she remarked anxiously.</p> +<p>Nasmyth glanced down at the bandage. “I’ve been +working rather hard of late, and this hand is painful.” +He made a deprecatory gesture. “I don’t know what +excuse to offer for troubling you. Gordon insisted on +sending me.”</p> +<p>“You fancy I require one from you?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth looked at her with heavy eyes. “No,” he +answered, “it is evident that you don’t. After all, perhaps +I shouldn’t have wished to make any excuse. It +seems only natural that when I get hurt, or find myself +in any trouble, I should come to you.”</p> +<p>He did not see the colour that crept into her face, for +his perceptions were not clear then; but he rose with an +effort, and together they went back to the house through +the snow. There Nasmyth changed his clothes for the +dry garments he had brought in a valise strapped to the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_250' name='page_250'></a>250</span> +pack-saddle, and an hour after supper he fell quietly +asleep in his chair. Then Laura turned to her father.</p> +<p>“You let him walk all the way when he is worn-out +and hurt!” she said accusingly.</p> +<p>Waynefleet waved his hand. “He insisted on it; and +I would like to point out that there is nothing very +much the matter with him. We have all been working +very hard at the cañon; in fact, I quite fail to understand +why you should be so much more concerned about him +than you evidently are about me. I am, however, quite +aware that there would be no use in my showing that +I resented it.”</p> +<p>Laura said nothing further. She felt that silence +was wiser, for, after all, her patience now and then +almost failed her.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_251' name='page_251'></a>251</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXIV_REALITIES' id='CHAPTER_XXIV_REALITIES'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIV</h2> +<h3>REALITIES</h3> +</div> +<p>Though there was bitter frost in the ranges, it had +but lightly touched the sheltered forests that shut in +Bonavista. The snow seldom lay long there, and only +a few wisps of it gleamed beneath the northern edge of +the pines. Mrs. Acton, as usual, had gathered a number +of guests about her, and Violet Hamilton sat talking +with one of them in the great drawing-room one evening. +The room was brilliantly lighted, and the soft radiance +gleamed upon the polished parquetry floor, on which +rugs of costly skins were scattered. A fire of snapping +pine-logs blazed in the big English hearth, and a faint +aromatic fragrance crept into the room.</p> +<p>Miss Hamilton leaned back in a softly padded lounge +that was obviously only made for two, and a pleasant-faced, +brown-eyed young Englishman, who had no particular +business in that country, but had gone there +merely for amusement, sat at the other end of it, regarding +her with a smile.</p> +<p>“After all,” he said reflectively, “I really don’t think +I’m very sorry the snow drove us down from our shooting +camp in the ranges.”</p> +<p>Violet laughed. She had met the man before he went +into the mountains, and he had been at Bonavista for +a week or two now.</p> +<p>“It was too cold for you up there?” she queried.</p> +<p>“It was,” answered the man, “at least, it was certainly +too cold for Jardine, who came out with me. He +got one of his feet nipped sitting out one night with the +rifle on a high ledge in the snow, and when I left him in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_252' name='page_252'></a>252</span> +Vancouver the doctor told him it would be a month +before he could wear a boot again.”</p> +<p>He laughed. “I have a shrewd suspicion that one +has to get hardened to that kind of thing, and, surely, +this is considerably nicer.”</p> +<p>“This,” repeated Violet, who fancied she understood +what he meant, “is very much the same thing as you are +accustomed to in London, except that the houses are, no +doubt, more luxuriously furnished, and the company is +more brilliant and entertaining.”</p> +<p>“You would not expect me to make any admission of +that kind?” and the man looked at her reproachfully. +“In any case, it wouldn’t be warranted.”</p> +<p>“Then,” said Violet, “I must have some very erroneous +notions of your English mansions.”</p> +<p>The man smiled. “Ah!” he said, “I was referring +to the company.”</p> +<p>He had expressed himself in a similar fashion once +or twice before, but Violet did not resent it. She admitted +that she rather liked him, and she did not know +that, although he had been a week or two at Bonavista, +he had only intended to stay there a few days. It had +naturally occurred to Mrs. Acton that there might be +a certain significance in this, but she was misled by the +open manner in which another young woman had annexed +him.</p> +<p>There were other guests in the room, and among them +was a little bald-headed man, whom Violet had heard +had philanthropic tendencies, and was connected with +some emigration scheme. This man was talking to +Acton. He spoke in a didactic manner, tapping one +hand with his gold-rimmed spectacles, and appeared quite +content that the rest should hear him.</p> +<p>“There is no doubt that this country offers us a great +field,” he said. “In fact, I have already made arrangements +for settling a number of deserving families +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_253' name='page_253'></a>253</span> +on the land. What I am particularly pleased with is +the manner in which the man who makes his home here +is brought into close contact with Nature. The effect +of this cannot fail to be what one might term recuperative. +There is a vitality to be drawn from the soil, and +I have of late been urging the manifold advantages of +the simple life upon those who are interesting themselves +in these subjects with me.”</p> +<p>Violet glanced at her companion, and saw the amusement +in his eyes.</p> +<p>“Do you all talk like that in England?” she inquired.</p> +<p>The man raised his hand reproachfully. “I’m afraid +some of us talk a good deal of rubbish now and then. +Still, as a matter of fact, we don’t round up our sentences +in that precise fashion, as he does. Just now +we’re rather fragmentary. Of course, he’s right to some +extent. I’m fond of the simple life––that is, for a month +or so, when I know that a two days’ ride will land me +in a civilized hotel. The trouble is that most of the +folks who recommend it would certainly go all to bits +in a few weeks after they tried it personally. Can you +fancy our friend yonder chopping tremendous trees, or +walking up to his knees in snow twelve hours with a +flour-bag on his back?”</p> +<p>Violet certainly could not. The man was full-fleshed, +plethoric, and heavy of foot, and he spoke with a throaty +gasp.</p> +<p>“The tilling of the soil,” he went on, apparently addressing +anybody who cared to listen, “is man’s natural +task, and I think Nature’s beneficent influences are felt +to their fullest extent in the primeval stillness of these +wonderful Western woods.”</p> +<p>Violet’s companion looked up at her with a smile.</p> +<p>“The primeval stillness sounds rather nice, only it +isn’t still except you go up into the snow upon the peaks,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_254' name='page_254'></a>254</span> +he said. “In most of the other places my trail led +through you can hear the rivers, and they make noise +enough for anything. Now, there’s a man yonder I +haven’t seen before, who, I fancy, could tell us something +about it if he liked. His face suggests that he +knows. I mean the one talking to Mrs. Acton.”</p> +<p>Violet followed his glance, and saw a man standing +beside Mrs. Acton near the great English hearth; but +his face was turned away from her, and it was a moment +or two before he looked round. Then she started, and +the blood crept into her cheeks as she met Nasmyth’s +gaze.</p> +<p>He had changed since she last saw him––changed, she +felt, in an almost disconcerting fashion. He wore plain +city clothes, and they hung about him with a suggestive +slackness. His face was darkened and roughened by +exposure to the winter winds; it had grown sharp and +stern, and there was a disfiguring red scar down one +side of it. His eyes were keen and intent, and there +was a look in them that she did not remember having +noticed before, while he seemed to have lost his careless +gracefulness of manner. Even his step seemed different +as he moved towards her. It was, though neither exactly +understood why, a difficult moment for both of them +when he stopped close by her side, and it was made no +easier by the fact that they were not alone. Violet +turned to her companion, who rose.</p> +<p>“Mr. Carshalton, from the Old Country,” she said. +“This is Mr. Nasmyth.”</p> +<p>Carshalton nodded. “Glad to meet you. Won’t you +sit down?” he said. “As it happens, I had just pointed +you out to Miss Hamilton. We were talking about the +wilderness––or, to be more precise, the great primeval +stillness. I ventured to suggest that you could tell us +something about it.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth smiled significantly. “Well,” he replied, “I +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_255' name='page_255'></a>255</span> +have certainly spent a few months in the wilderness. +That is one of the results.”</p> +<p>He meant to indicate the hand that hung by his side +in a thick, soft glove by the gesture he made, but it was +the other one that Violet and Carshalton glanced at. It +was scarred and battered, and had opened in raw red +cracks under the frost.</p> +<p>“Ah!” said Carshalton, “I think I was quite warranted +in assuring Miss Hamilton that it was a good +deal nicer here. You see, I was up in the ranges for a +week or two. I had to come down with my comrade, +who sat out one night in the snow. The primeval stillness +didn’t agree with him.”</p> +<p>He met Violet’s eyes, and next moment glanced across +the room.</p> +<p>“I don’t think I’ve spoken to Mr. Acton this evening,” +he said. “We’ll have a talk about the wilderness +by-and-by, Mr. Nasmyth.”</p> +<p>He strolled away, and Nasmyth sat down by Violet’s +side.</p> +<p>“I fancied the man meant to stay,” he remarked.</p> +<p>Violet leaned back in the lounge, and looked at him +a moment or two silently. Her thoughts were confused, +and she was uneasy. In the first place, she almost wished +it had not been so easy to make Carshalton understand +that she wished him to go away; for the fact that she +had been able to do so by merely looking at him suggested +that there was at least a certain confidence between +them, and she was unwilling to admit that such was the +case. That, however, was only a minor point. While +Carshalton had spoken of the simple life, and admitted +that a few weeks of it was quite enough for him, she had +thought with a certain tenderness of the man who had +spent months of strenuous toil in the misty depths of the +cañon. She was glad of this, and felt a slight compunction +over the fact that she had seldom thought of him +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_256' name='page_256'></a>256</span> +of late. Still, when she saw him bearing the marks of +those months of effort on his body and in his worn face, +she was sensible that she shrank from him, as she had +once done from the dreary, dripping wilderness. This +was disconcerting, but she could not drive out the feeling. +His worn face vaguely troubled her, and she was +sorry for him, but she would not have liked to touch his +scarred and roughened hands. She glanced at the injured +hand inquiringly.</p> +<p>“It is almost well again. It was crushed beneath a +mass of timber,” he told her briefly.</p> +<p>Conscious that the meeting so far left a good deal to be +desired, Violet sat still a moment. It certainly had not +afforded her the pleasure she might reasonably have expected, +and she subconsciously resented the fact. There +was also, as she noticed, a suggestion of uneasiness in the +man’s scarred face.</p> +<p>“I have been in Victoria a few days,” he explained. +“There was a machine I had to buy, and one or two +other matters had to be attended to. Then I got a letter +forwarded from Waynefleet’s ranch, from which it appeared +that Mr. Acton wished to see me.”</p> +<p>A faint sparkle crept into Violet Hamilton’s eyes. “It +is evident,” she observed, “that we both find it a little +difficult to say the right thing.”</p> +<p>“I’m afraid I am now and then a little remiss in that +respect. Still, how have I offended?”</p> +<p>Violet contrived to smile. “I’m not sure it was particularly +judicious of you to explain so fully what brought +you here. Couldn’t you have left me to suggest another +reason that would have been a little more satisfactory?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth laughed. “My dear, you know I have been +longing to see you.”</p> +<p>“Ah!” exclaimed Violet, “I am not altogether sure. +Indeed, I could almost fancy that you have been thinking +of nothing beyond what you are doing in that horrible +cañon.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_257' name='page_257'></a>257</span></div> +<p>Nasmyth raised his hand in protest, though Violet +was quick to notice the uneasiness in his face; but now +the worn look in it roused her pity.</p> +<p>“Well,” she said, “you can show how anxious you +were by staying here at least a week. I want you to stay. +Besides, you must for another reason––you are looking +almost ill.”</p> +<p>There was, for the first time, a softness in her voice +that stirred the man, but the uneasiness that had troubled +him did not disappear. Indeed, it seemed to grow +stronger as he glanced about the room, which was furnished +artistically, and flooded with light. Mrs. Acton’s +guests were of the station to which he had belonged, +and he would once have found the sound of their voices +and their light laughter pleasant. These, however, were +things that no longer appealed to him, and he was conscious +of a feverish impatience to get back to his work +again in the misty cañon.</p> +<p>“I’m afraid,” he replied gravely, “it will be out of +the question for me to stay just now. There is so much +to do at the cañon; and I think you know why I am so +anxious to carry the work through.”</p> +<p>The girl looked at him in a curious fashion, and +though she was probably not aware of it, there was doubt +in her eyes. For the moment she was troubled with a +sense of comprehension, and she could not be quite sure +whether it was only on her account that he was so determined +to carry out the project.</p> +<p>“Well,” she told him, “I know that Mr. Acton and +your uncle are anxious to see you. In fact, I believe they +have some suggestions to put before you, and though I +do not know exactly what it is, I imagine that you need +not go back to the Bush if you will do what they wish.” +She broke off and glanced at him wistfully. “Derrick, +you won’t decide rashly. I don’t want you to stay away +from me.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth smiled reassuringly; but one of Violet’s companions +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_258' name='page_258'></a>258</span> +approached them just then, and when she leaned +upon the back of the lounge and spoke to the girl, Nasmyth +rose. He crossed the room, and a few minutes later, +in the big cedar hall, came upon a man connected with +the Crown land agency. There was an open fire in the +hall, and the man, who sat down by it, offered Nasmyth +a cigar.</p> +<p>“Mrs. Acton will excuse us for a few minutes,” the +Stranger remarked. “You are evidently fresh from the +Bush. How are you getting on there?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth told him, and the man looked thoughtful.</p> +<p>“You don’t hold all the valley,” the man said. “I +wonder if you know that folks are taking an interest in +the land that’s still unrecorded?”</p> +<p>“I don’t,” said Nasmyth. “It’s mostly heavy timber +that would cost a deal to clear. Any way, as we couldn’t +take up any more than we hold, it doesn’t appear to affect +me at all.”</p> +<p>“Well,” returned his companion, “that’s a point I’m +not quite sure about. You only hold a provisional charter +to lower the river. There’s only one unworked +holding near the valley, and, as you couldn’t injure anybody’s +property, we permitted you to go ahead. Still, +if any parties supplied us with a sufficient reason for withdrawing +that permission, we might have to listen to +them.” He broke off for a moment and waved his hand. +“Of course, I’m not speaking officially. I’m merely +giving you a hint that may be useful. Some persons might +take up that land with the object of putting the screw +on you. You see, it would be possible to get over any +difficulty they might raise by buying them out.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth’s lips closed firmly. He was quite aware +that, in view of the state of his finances, the course suggested +was not one that he could adopt.</p> +<p>“What kind of people are they?” he inquired.</p> +<p>His companion laughed in an ominous fashion. “Small +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_259' name='page_259'></a>259</span> +ranchers, though it’s just possible that there may be some +of the big men connected with the land business behind +them. The big promoters occasionally prefer to act +through a dummy. Our object is, of course, to get men +who will cultivate the land, and keep it out of the hands +of anyone who merely wants to hold it. Now, while I’m +far from sure my superiors would be pleased to hear I’d +said so much to you, there’s one piece of advice I can +offer.” He leaned forward and looked at Nasmyth confidentially. +“Get that work through as soon as you can. +Once you lower the level of the river, nobody could compel +you to put it back again. Any man who wanted land +would have to buy it as it was.”</p> +<p>“A man who wished to start a ranch would naturally +prefer it with the water run out of it.”</p> +<p>“Precisely!” argued Nasmyth’s informant. “That is +why you got the charter. Still, I wasn’t contemplating +the man who merely wished to ranch.”</p> +<p>His smile suggested that he intended to say no more +upon that subject, and when he turned and glanced +through the doorway into the lighted room, Nasmyth +saw that he was looking at Violet Hamilton. Nasmyth +also noticed that Carshalton was once more seated beside +the girl.</p> +<p>“I rather like that Englishman,” declared the stranger. +“Acton apparently gets on with him, too. He seems +to have been here some time. In fact, while it’s nobody +else’s business, I’ve been inclined to wonder what +Miss Hamilton thinks of him.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth made no reply, but the observation slightly +troubled him. A little later Acton crossed the hall.</p> +<p>“If you can give us a few minutes, your uncle and +I have something to put before you,” he said. “I’ll go +along with you to my room.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_260' name='page_260'></a>260</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXV_NASMYTH_DECIDES' id='CHAPTER_XXV_NASMYTH_DECIDES'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXV</h2> +<h3>NASMYTH DECIDES</h3> +</div> +<p>A shaded lamp stood on the table of Acton’s room, +and, as Nasmyth entered, he saw Wisbech, whom he +had not met since his arrival, sitting just inside the light +of it in a lounge-chair. He strode forward and shook +hands with his uncle.</p> +<p>“Until I got your letter I almost fancied you were in +Japan,” he said.</p> +<p>Wisbech smiled at him. “I shall probably start very +shortly. In fact, I never expected to stay here half so +long as I have done, but I found a good deal to interest +me in this country, and it’s twenty years since I have +been away from business for more than a week or two. +The works were mine until very recently, but there are +times now when I’m not altogether sorry I’m merely a +director of the company.”</p> +<p>Acton laid a handful of cigars on the table, and drew +out a chair for Nasmyth.</p> +<p>“Well,” he replied reflectively, “there is a good deal +in this country that would interest a sensible man, but +I’m not sure that’s exactly what has kept Mr. Wisbech +so long in Victoria. I’ve a point or two to mention +later, but I’ll let him speak first. It’s his affair.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth sat down, and he did not immediately notice +that while Acton had placed his chair where the light +struck full upon his face, Wisbech sat a little farther +back in the shadow cast by the shade of the lamp. After +a moment Acton sought the dimmer part of the room. +Wisbech turned to Nasmyth.</p> +<p>“I understand that you expect to marry Miss Hamilton +by-and-by,” he said. “No doubt you have thought +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_261' name='page_261'></a>261</span> +over the question of what you’re going to keep a wife +on?”</p> +<p>“I admit that it’s one that has caused me a good deal +of anxiety;” and Nasmyth leaned forward, with his +elbows on the table. “Still, it hasn’t troubled me quite +so much of late. If I succeed with the scheme I have +in hand, it will bring me money enough to make a start +with a larger venture of the kind, or to enable me to +undertake ranching on a reasonably extensive scale. +When the land is ready for cultivation, and you haven’t +to face the initial cost of getting rid of heavy timber, the +business is a profitable one.”</p> +<p>“It is possible that Miss Hamilton would not care to +live at even a tolerably extensive ranch. She has been +accustomed to comfort of every kind and cheerful society, +and there can’t be very much of either in the Bush; +while, if you undertake any further work of the kind +you suggest, it would be a few years before you made +your mark. Now, I’m not sure it would be reasonable +to expect a young woman like Miss Hamilton to wait indefinitely.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth flushed a little. “I think,” he replied, “that +is a question which concerns Miss Hamilton and me +alone.”</p> +<p>Acton leaned forward in his chair. “Mrs. Acton +seems to fancy it concerns her, too. In fact, that’s one +reason why I wrote to you. Well, I’m going to lay +before you a business proposition. You have probably +heard of the Hecla Mineral Exploitation concern? It’s +run by two friends of mine, who have made a great deal +of money out of their claims. They’re getting elderly, +and are open to take in a younger man––a man of education, +who has some acquaintance with the work that’s +done in the Bush. He must take hold now, and hold +stock in the concern. Here’s the last letter they wrote +me.”</p> +<p>He passed it across to Nasmyth, whose face grew +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_262' name='page_262'></a>262</span> +eager, and then suddenly hardened again. The concern +in question was, as he had heard, one of excellent repute, +and supposed to be carrying on a profitable mining +business.</p> +<p>“It’s out of the question that I should raise the capital,” +he said.</p> +<p>“The money can be raised,” Wisbech broke in quietly. +“I’ll buy that stock for you, and, if you insist on it, +you can treat it as a loan.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth sat very still for a moment or two, and +slowly closed one hard hand. He had never expected +such an offer from Wisbech, and he recognized that it +would free him of all his difficulties if he accepted it. +There was, however, an obstacle in the way.</p> +<p>“Well,” asked Wisbech very dryly, “isn’t the Hecla +Minerals good enough for you?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth looked at Acton. “I must go there––now?”</p> +<p>“That is one of the conditions. They want to fix the +thing before Kekewich, who hasn’t been well lately, +starts East on a trip to Montreal. I promised to wire if +you were willing to go down and see them to-morrow.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth turned to Wisbech, and his voice was strained.</p> +<p>“I am under many obligations to you already, sir, +but I’m sorry I can’t profit by your generosity in this +case,” he said.</p> +<p>“Why?” queried Wisbech sharply.</p> +<p>“It’s a little difficult to explain. You see, the idea +of lowering the river was mine. Some of the boys +up yonder have mortgaged their ranches, and put every +dollar they could raise in that way into the scheme. They +look to me to put the thing through; so that they may +get their money back again.”</p> +<p>“Is there no one else who could do that?” Acton +asked. “It seems to me there’s nothing wrong with that +man Gordon. I guess you could leave it to him.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_263' name='page_263'></a>263</span></div> +<p>Nasmyth felt that Wisbech was watching him with a +curious intentness.</p> +<p>“Gordon,” he answered slowly, “is at least as well +fitted to lead the boys as I am. In fact, I might go +farther than that. After all, however, there is a little +more to be said.”</p> +<p>He stopped abruptly, and sat silent a moment or two, +leaning with one elbow on the table, and the light full +upon his face. There was trouble in his expressive eyes, +but his mouth was tense and grimly resolute. He remembered +the pleasant summer days that he and Violet Hamilton +had spent together, but he also heard the roar of the +river in the misty depths of the cañon, and the crash of +stream-driven pines. The familiar sounds rang in his +ears, rousing him to action, and something in his nature +responded. In the meanwhile there was a heavy silence +in the room. His companions watched him closely, and +Acton, who looked round for a moment, noticed the suggestive +glint in Wisbech’s eyes.</p> +<p>Nasmyth straightened himself suddenly. “I know +what I am turning my back upon,” he added. “It is +very probable that I shall never get another opportunity +of this kind again. Still, I owe the boys something, and +I feel I owe a little to myself. This scheme in the cañon +is the first big thing I have ever undertaken. I can’t +quite make the way that I look at it clear to you, but”––and +he brought one hand down on the table in an emphatic +fashion––“I feel that I must go on until it breaks +me or I put it through.”</p> +<p>Wisbech noisily thrust his chair back, and Acton +laughed––a laugh that had a faint ring in it.</p> +<p>“Well, I guess I partly expected this,” said Acton. +“Mr. Nasmyth, it’s a sure thing that river’s not going +to break you.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth looked embarrassed, but next moment Wisbech +laid a hand upon his shoulder.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_264' name='page_264'></a>264</span></div> +<p>“Derrick,” he said simply, “if you had closed with +my offer, I wouldn’t have blamed you, but I’d have felt +I had done my duty then, and I’d never have made you +another. As it is, when things are going wrong, all you +have to do is to send a word to me.”</p> +<p>Then, to the relief of his companions, Acton, whose +expression changed suddenly, broke in again. “Well,” +he commented, “I’m not quite sure that Miss Hamilton +will look at the thing from Nasmyth’s point of view. I +guess we’ll leave him to explain it to her and Mrs. Acton.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth fancied that the explanation would not be an +easy task. In fact, it was one he shrank from, but it had +to be undertaken, and, leaving the others, he went back +to the drawing-room. Violet Hamilton was surrounded +by several companions, and he did not approach her +until she glanced at him as she slipped out into the big +cedar hall. She sat down on a lounge near the fire, and +he leaned upon the arm of it, looking down on her with +grave misgivings. He recognized that it was scarcely +reasonable to expect that she would be satisfied with the +decision he had made.</p> +<p>“You have seen your uncle and Acton?” she asked.</p> +<p>“Yes,” answered Nasmyth; “I have something to tell +you.”</p> +<p>The girl turned towards him quickly. “Ah!” she +said, “you are not going to do what they proposed?”</p> +<p>“I’m sorry the thing they suggested was out of the +question. You will let me tell you what it was?”</p> +<p>Violet made a sign of assent, and Nasmyth spoke +quietly for a minute or two. Then a faint flush crept +into the girl’s cheeks and a sparkle into her eyes.</p> +<p>“You said no!” she interrupted.</p> +<p>“I felt I had to. There seemed no other course open +to me.”</p> +<p>Violet looked at him in evident bewilderment, and +Nasmyth spoke again deprecatingly. “You see,” he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_265' name='page_265'></a>265</span> +explained, “I felt I had to keep faith with those +ranchers.”</p> +<p>“Didn’t it occur to you that you had also to keep +faith with me?” she inquired sharply.</p> +<p>“I think that was the one thing I was trying to do.”</p> +<p>Violet showed no sign of comprehension, and it was +borne in upon Nasmyth then that, in her place, Laura +Waynefleet would have understood the motives that had +influenced him, and applauded them.</p> +<p>“My dear,” he said, “can’t you understand that you +have laid an obligation on me to play a creditable part? +I couldn’t turn my back on my comrades now that they +have mortgaged their possessions, and, though I think +Gordon or one of the others could lead them as well +as I could, when I asked them to join me, I tacitly +pledged myself to hold on until we were crushed or had +achieved success.”</p> +<p>He looked at her wistfully when he stopped speaking; +but she made a gesture of impatience.</p> +<p>“The one thing clear to me is that if you had done +what Mr. Acton suggested you could have lived in Victoria, +and have seen me almost whenever you wished,” +she declared. “Some of those ranchers must know a good +deal more about work of the kind you are doing than you +do, and, if you had explained it all to them, they would +have released you.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth sighed. Apart from the obligation to his +comrades, there were other motives which had influenced +him. He vaguely felt that it was incumbent on him to +prove his manhood in this arduous grapple with Nature, +and, after a purposeless life, to vindicate himself. The +wilderness, as Gordon had said, had also gotten hold of +him, and that described what had befallen him reasonably +well. There are many men, and among them men of +education, in those Western forests who, having once +taken up the axe and drill, can never wholly let them go +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_266' name='page_266'></a>266</span> +again. These men grow restless and morose in the cities, +which seldom hold them long. The customs of civilization +pall on them, and content comes to them only when +they toil knee-deep in some frothing rapid, or hew the +new waggon-road through a stupendous forest. Why this +should be they do not exactly know, and very few of +them trouble themselves about the matter. Perhaps it is +a subconscious recognition of the first great task that +was laid on man to subdue the earth and to make it +fruitful. Nasmyth, at least, heard the river. Its hoarse +roar rang insistently in his ears, and he braced himself +for the conflict that must be fought out in the depths +of the cañon. These, however, were feelings that he +could not well express, and once more he doubted Violet’s +comprehension.</p> +<p>“My dear,” he told her humbly, “I am sorry; but +there was, I think, only one thing I could do.”</p> +<p>Violet, looking up, saw that his face was stern, and became +sensible of a faint and perplexing repulsion from +him. His languid gracefulness had vanished, and he was +no longer gay or amusing. A rugged elemental forcefulness +had come uppermost in him, and this was a thing +she did not understand. Involuntarily she shrank from +this grave, serious man. There was a disfiguring newly +healed cut on one of his cheeks, and his hand was raw +and horribly scarred.</p> +<p>“You have changed since you were last here,” she +said, looking at him with disapproval. “Perhaps you +really are a little sorry to leave me, but I think that is +all. At least, you will not be sorry to get back to the +cañon.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth started a little. It was a thing that he would +at one time certainly not have expected, but he realized +now that he was driven by a fierce impatience to get +back to the work he had undertaken.</p> +<p>“I think that is not astonishing in one respect,” he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_267' name='page_267'></a>267</span> +replied. “I told you why I feel that I must carry the +project through. The sooner I am successful, the sooner +I can come back to you.”</p> +<p>The girl laughed somewhat bitterly. “If you would +only be sensible, you need not go away. Are you quite +sure it is not the project that comes first with you?” she +questioned.</p> +<p>Nasmyth felt the blood creep into his face, for it suddenly +dawned on him that the suggestion she had made +was to some extent warranted.</p> +<p>“My dear,” he answered quietly, “you must try to +bear with me.”</p> +<p>Violet rose. “Well,” she said, “when do you go +away?”</p> +<p>“In the morning.”</p> +<p>There was resentment in the girl’s expression. “Since +you have made up your mind to go, I will make no protest,” +she declared. Then, with a swift change of manner, +she turned and laid her hand upon his arm. “After +all, I suppose you must go. Derrick, you won’t stay +away very long!”</p> +<p>They went into the drawing-room together, and half +an hour had passed when Mrs. Acton beckoned to Nasmyth, +and he followed her into an adjoining alcove. +She sat down and looked at him reproachfully.</p> +<p>“I am very angry with you,” she asserted; “in fact, I +feel distinctly hurt. You have not come up to my expectations.”</p> +<p>“I’m sorry,” replied Nasmyth quietly. “Still, I’m +not astonished. Your indignation is perfectly natural. I +felt at the time Mr. Acton made me the offer that he +had been prompted by you. That”––and he made a +deprecatory gesture––“is one reason why I’m especially +sorry I couldn’t profit by it.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Acton sat silent a moment or two, regarding +him thoughtfully. “Well,” she declared, “from now I +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_268' name='page_268'></a>268</span> +am afraid you must depend upon yourself. I have tried +to be your friend, and it seems that I have failed. Will +you be very long at the cañon?”</p> +<p>“If all goes as I expect it, six months. If not, I may +be a year, or longer. I shall certainly not come back +until I am successful.”</p> +<p>“That is, of course, in one sense the kind of decision +I should expect you to make. It does you credit. Unfortunately, +I’m not sure that it’s wise.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth looked at her with quick apprehension. “I +wonder,” he said, “if you would tell me why it isn’t?”</p> +<p>Mrs. Acton appeared to weigh her words, “My views +are, naturally, not always correct,” she answered. “Even +if they were, I should scarcely expect you to be guided +by them. Still, I think it would not be wise of you to +stay away very long.”</p> +<p>She rose, and smiled at him. “It is advice that may +be worth taking. Now I must go back to the others.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth pushed aside the portieres for her, and then +sauntered into the hall, where in a very thoughtful mood, +he sat down by the fire.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_269' name='page_269'></a>269</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXVI_ONE_NIGHTS_TASK' id='CHAPTER_XXVI_ONE_NIGHTS_TASK'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVI</h2> +<h3>ONE NIGHT’S TASK</h3> +</div> +<p>Daylight was dying out in a flurry of whirling +snow, when Nasmyth, who led a jaded horse, floundered +down from the steep rock slopes of the divide into +the shelter of the dark pines about the head of the gully. +It was a little warmer there, and he was glad of it, for +he was chilled, in spite of the toilsome climb. The dark +boughs wailed above him, tossing athwart his path a +haze of sliding snow, but he caught a faint and reassuring +clink of drills, and straightened himself as he clambered +down between the trees. The sound had a bracing effect +on him, and he felt a curious little thrill as the clamour +of the river came up to him in long pulsations. The +sound of the waters was growing louder when Gordon, +with a big axe in his hand, materialized out of the +shadows, and strode forward impulsively at the sight of +him.</p> +<p>“Hand better? We’re glad to see you; but you might +have stayed another day or two,” he said.</p> +<p>Nasmyth laughed. “Well,” replied he, “perhaps it’s +a little curious, considering everything, but I was impatient +to get back again. In fact, I feel more at home +each time I scramble down from the divide.”</p> +<p>He glanced round through the sliding snow at the dim +white range and ranks of towering pines, and, as he did +so, the roar of the river and the wail of trees that swayed +beneath a fierce wind filled the rock-walled hollow. Then +the persistent clink of drills and thud of axes broke out +again, while here and there the blurred white figure of a +toiling man emerged from the snow. It was a picture +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_270' name='page_270'></a>270</span> +that a man unused to the wilderness might have shrunk +from, but Gordon understood his comrade. They were +engaged in a great struggle, with the powers of savage +Nature arrayed against them; but it was with a curious +quickening of all the strength that was in them, mental +and physical, that they braced themselves for the conflict.</p> +<p>“I have a thing or two to tell you, but we’ll get into +the shanty and have supper first. The boys are just +quitting work,” remarked Gordon.</p> +<p>They clambered down over a practicable trail, though +part of it was covered deep with snow, crept in and out +among the boulders by the light of a great fire that +blazed above the fall, and found Mattawa laying a meal +out when they reached the shanty. Neither Nasmyth nor +Gordon said anything of consequence until after the meal, +and then Nasmyth, who had put on his deer-hide jacket +and duck trousers, flung himself down in an empty packing-case +that was stuffed with soft spruce twigs, and +looked about him with a smile of contentment. A lamp +hung above him, and its light gleamed upon axes, drills, +iron wedges, and crosscut saws, and made a chequered +pattern of brightness and shadow on the rude log walls. +A glowing stove diffused a cosy warmth, and the little +room was filled with the odours of tobacco and drying +boots and clothes.</p> +<p>“I suppose you saw Wisbech?” observed Gordon. +“Miss Waynefleet told one of the boys, who was through +at the settlement, that she had a note from him asking if +she’d get a letter he or Acton had written into your +hands as soon as possible. He seems to be making quite +a stay in this country.”</p> +<p>“He has stayed several months longer than he intended,” +replied Nasmyth. “I believe he did it on my +account; but he’s going on again in a week or two. I saw +him at Bonavista. Where’s Waynefleet?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_271' name='page_271'></a>271</span></div> +<p>“I guess he’s in Victoria.”</p> +<p>“I didn’t come across him. What took him there?”</p> +<p>Gordon laughed. “He said it was business. Wanted +to see if we couldn’t get our tools and powder cheaper. +As a matter of fact, it would be a relief if that could +be done. Any way, he has been working quite hard, +and has hung on rather longer than I expected. Administration’s +his strong point. He doesn’t like chopping.” +Gordon’s face grew grave. “In one way it’s rather a +pity he’s fond of talking. I’m ’most afraid somebody +may start him discoursing on what we’re doing over a +glass of wine and a cigar. I like a man of that kind +where I can put my hand on him. He’s one of our +weak spots.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth nodded. “I’m sorry I didn’t know he was +in the city,” he said. “How are you getting on?”</p> +<p>“Satisfactorily, so far as the work goes. We have +pushed the blasting heading well under the fall, but +there’s a thing that has been worrying me. I’d gone +across the range to see what the boys in the valley had +done, when a man came in. It appears he resented our +trying to lower the river. Mattawa saw him.”</p> +<p>Mattawa looked up with a grin. “He said he’d a +claim up at the head of the valley, and we had got to +quit work right away. If we didn’t he’d get the Crown +people or the court to stop us. He liked plenty of water +round his ranch. Some of the boys got a little riled with +him, and they took him up the gully and put him on his +horse.”</p> +<p>“I never heard of a claim up yonder,” declared Nasmyth +gravely.</p> +<p>“Well,” said Gordon, “I believe there is one. Somebody +recorded it a long while ago, and did nothing on +it, but, as it was bought land, his title stands. Potter +says he understood the man was dead. It may be an +attempt to get some money out of us.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_272' name='page_272'></a>272</span></div> +<p>Nasmyth sat thoughtfully silent a moment or two.</p> +<p>“One of the Crown people hinted at something of the +kind,” he said. “Now I scarcely think any of the boys +would go back on us by selling out his land?”</p> +<p>“Not one. Any way, I guess they could hardly do it +without the consent of the trustees. You and I are not +likely to give ours.” He paused for a moment. “Well,” +he added, “I guess Waynefleet could be depended on.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth said nothing for almost a minute, and both +recognized that the silence was significant. Then he rose +abruptly.</p> +<p>“In one shape or other the trouble you suggested is +one we will have to face,” he commented. “That’s why +I’m going to fire a big charge in the blasting heading to-night. +You can bring the giant-powder along, Tom.”</p> +<p>Mattawa appeared to be amazed, and Gordon stared +at his comrade curiously.</p> +<p>“If you fire that charge now, you’ll naturally make +an end of the heading, and I understood your notion was +to drive right under the fall and blow the whole ledge +out at one time,” objected Gordon. “Guess if you just +rip the top of the rock off, as far as we have gone, it will +take us quite a while to make another tunnel, and money, +as I needn’t remind you, is running out.”</p> +<p>“Exactly!” agreed Nasmyth. “That extra work will +have to be faced, but if I can get a big charge in to-night +I can cut down the ridge a foot or two. Two feet +less water will count for something in the valley, and I’m +going to make sure of it. It seems certain that somebody +will try to stop us by-and-by.”</p> +<p>Gordon noticed the hard glint in Nasmyth’s eyes, and +knew that now when he was being pushed back to the +wall he meant to fight, and would not shrink from a +sacrifice. They had driven that uncompleted heading +at a heavy cost, cutting at first an open gallery in the face +of the rock, drenched with the spray of the fall. Then +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_273' name='page_273'></a>273</span> +they had crawled into the dripping tunnel hewn out by +sheer force of muscle, for it was seldom that powder +could be used, and they had only a worn-out machine, +and had toiled crouching with scarcely room to bring a +hammer down on wedge or to hold the drill, while from +odd fissures the icy river poured in on them. Now, it +seemed, all that severe effort was to be practically thrown +away, but he recognized that his comrade was right. +It was wiser to make sure of two feet than to wait +until somebody set the law in motion and stopped the +work.</p> +<p>“Yes,” he assented simply; “I guess it has to be done.”</p> +<p>Mattawa entered with the magazine, and Nasmyth +laid out several sticks of giant-powder near the stove. +There was a certain risk in this, but giant-powder freezes, +and when that happens one must thaw it out. It is a +singularly erratic compound of nitro-glycerine, which requires +to be fired by a powerful detonator, and, if merely +ignited, burns harmlessly. One can warm it at a stove, +or even flatten it with a hammer, without stirring it to +undesired activity––that is, as a rule––but now and then +a chance tap with a pick-handle or a little jolt suffices to +loose its tremendous potentialities. In such cases the men +nearest it are usually not shattered, but dissolved into their +component gases.</p> +<p>Nasmyth was quite aware of this as he sat by the stove +kneading the detonators into the sticks that he held up +to warm. His lips were set, but his scarred hands were +steady, for another risk more or less did not count for +very much in the cañon. Once, however, Mattawa ventured +a protest.</p> +<p>“I guess that stick’s quite hot enough,” he observed.</p> +<p>Nasmyth said nothing, but went on with his work, +until at length he laid the sticks and fuses in the magazine, +and signalling to the others, moved towards the +door. The snow beat into their faces when they +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_274' name='page_274'></a>274</span> +went outside, and the glare of the fire above the +fall emphasized the obscurity. Now the flames flung an +evanescent flash of radiance across the whirling pool and +the dark rock’s side, and then sank again to a dim smear +of yellow brightness while a haze of vapour whirled +amidst the snow, for a high wind swept through the +cañon. Sometimes they could see the boulders among +which they stumbled, and the river frothing at their feet, +but for the most part they saw nothing, and groped onward +with dazzled eyes, until at last Nasmyth swung +himself up on the narrow staging that overhung the pool +beneath the fall, and Gordon heard the sticks of giant-powder +jolt against the side of the magazine. That alone +would have sufficed to indicate the state of his comrade’s +temper, for so far as it is possible, men handle giant-powder +very tenderly.</p> +<p>There was no rail to the narrow staging, which was +glazed with frozen spray, and when Gordon was half-way +along it, the fire flung out a gush of radiance and +sank suddenly. Then thick smoke whirled about him, +and for a moment or two he stopped and gasped, feeling +for the rock with a cautious hand. He was aware that +the man who slipped from the staging would be whirled +round with the eddy and drawn down beneath the fall. +A harsh voice came out of the darkness.</p> +<p>“Am I to wait here half the night?” it asked.</p> +<p>Gordon went on circumspectly, bruising his numbed +fingers now and then upon the stone, until once more a +blaze broke out, and he saw Nasmyth floundering in +haste over a pile of shattered rock. The magazine was +slung over his shoulder, and now and then it struck his +back or the side of the rock. While Gordon would have +been relieved had his comrade acted more circumspectly, +he was not surprised. There were, he knew, times when +men under strain broke out into an unreasoning fury. He +had seen one hewing savagely on the perilous side of a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_275' name='page_275'></a>275</span> +tremendous tottering tree, and another grimly driving +the bolts that could not save it into the stringers of a +collapsing wooden bridge. It was, as he recognized, not +exactly courage that they had displayed, but the elemental +savagery that in the newer countries, at least, now and +then seizes on hard-driven men ground down by mortgage-holders, +or ruined by flood and frost. With man and +Nature against them they would make their last grim +protest before they were crushed. Gordon once or twice +had been conscious of the same fierce desire. He could +sympathize with Nasmyth, but, after all, he wished he +would not bang the giant-powder about in that unceremonious +fashion.</p> +<p>“Leave the magazine yonder, and we’ll bring it along,” +he cried.</p> +<p>Nasmyth made no answer, but he waited until Gordon +and Mattawa joined him, and they lowered themselves +down from a rock shelf on to a pile of broken rock, +about which the eddy swirled. The spray of the fall +beat upon them, and the roar of it was bewildering, but +the noise was softened when they crawled into the entrance +of a narrow tunnel. Mattawa, with considerable +difficulty, struck a match, and a pale light streamed out +from the little metal lamp he fastened in his hat. The +light showed the ragged roof of the tunnel and the rivulet +of icy water that flowed in the bottom of it. They +crawled forward through the water for a few yards, +vainly trying to avoid the deluge which broke upon them +from the fissures, and finally sat down dripping on a pile +of broken rock. Nasmyth took out his pipe, and was +lighting it when Gordon drew the magazine away from +him.</p> +<p>“You might just as well have done that before you +opened the thing,” he remarked. “Anyway, if you +merely want to sit down, it would have been quite as +comfortable in the shanty.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_276' name='page_276'></a>276</span></div> +<p>Nasmyth was silent for several moments; then he +turned to the other two men with a wry smile.</p> +<p>“I don’t quite know how we drove this heading with +the tools we had, but I can’t think of any means of saving +it,” he said. “There are men with money––Martial, +and more of them––in the cities waiting to take away +from us what we expect to get, and since we have to +fight them, it seems to me advisable to strike where it’s +possible.” He laughed harshly. “There’ll be two feet +less water in the valley before the morning.”</p> +<p>“But no heading,” cried Mattawa.</p> +<p>“Well,” replied Nasmyth simply, “we’ll start another +one. I notice two holes yonder. We’ll drill a third one, +Tom.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth had been in the saddle since sunrise, in bitter +frost and whirling snow, but he picked up a hammer, +and Mattawa seized a drill. There was no room to +swing the hammer, and Nasmyth struck half crouching, +while, chilly as the heading was, the perspiration dripped +from him, and the veins rose swollen on his forehead. He +was up against it, and a man strikes hardest when he is +pressed back to the wall. Gordon sat and watched them, +but––for the rock rang with each jarring thud––he +wrapped the magazine in his wet jacket, and it was a +relief to him when Nasmyth finally dropped the hammer.</p> +<p>“Now,” said Nasmyth, “we’ll fill every hole ram to +the top.”</p> +<p>Mattawa placed the giant-powder in the holes, and +they crawled back, trailing a couple of thin wires after +them, until they reached the strip of shingle near the +gully, when Nasmyth made the connection with the firing-plug.</p> +<p>A streak of vivid flame leapt out of the rock, and the +detonation was followed by the roar of the river pouring +through the newly opened gap. Nasmyth turned without +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_277' name='page_277'></a>277</span> +a word and plodded back to the shanty. A group of +men who had scrambled down the gully met him.</p> +<p>“You were a little astonished to see me, boys?” he +said with a question in his voice. Then he laughed.</p> +<p>“I’ve fired a big charge, and I guess you’ll have to start +another heading as soon as it’s sun-up.”</p> +<p>It was evident that the men were disconcerted, and an +expostulatory murmur rose from them. It ceased, however, +when Nasmyth waved his hand.</p> +<p>“I had to do it, boys,” he declared.</p> +<p>It had cost them strenuous toil to drive that heading, +but one could have fancied that they were satisfied with +the terse assurance he offered them. He had proved himself +fit to lead them, and they had a steadfast confidence +in him.</p> +<p>“Well,” commented one of the men, “in that case, I +guess all we have to do is to start right off at the other +one.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth opened the door of the shanty. “I felt you’d +look at it that way, boys,” he said. “I’ll explain the +thing later. I’m a little played out to-night.”</p> +<p>The men plodded away up the gully, and in another +few minutes Nasmyth was sound asleep.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_278' name='page_278'></a>278</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXVII_TIMBER_RIGHTS' id='CHAPTER_XXVII_TIMBER_RIGHTS'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVII</h2> +<h3>TIMBER RIGHTS</h3> +</div> +<p>They set to work on the new heading at sunrise next +morning, but it was a week or two before they had +made much of an opening in the rock beneath the fall. +Though Nasmyth had lowered the level of the river a +little, the smooth-worn stone still rose sheer from the +depths of the whirling pool, and the blasting had obliterated +every trace of their previous operations. They were +compelled to make new approaches, and they toiled, +drenched with the icy spray, on frail, slung stages, cutting +sockets for the logs to hold a heavier platform for +the little boring-machine Nasmyth had purchased in Victoria. +When the platform was built, the working face +was narrow, and the rock of a kind that yielded very +slowly to the cutting-tool. They had no power but that +of well-hardened muscle, and none of the workers had +any particular knowledge of engineering.</p> +<p>They pushed the new heading toilsomely beneath the +fall, working in rock fissured by the last explosion, +through which the water poured in on them, while the +river rose when the frost broke up and was succeeded by a +week or two of torrential rain. The water swirled high +among the boulders, and had crept almost to the mouth +of the heading, when one evening Wheeler walked into +the shanty. He said nothing of any consequence until +supper was over, and he then took a newspaper out of his +pocket.</p> +<p>“Have you had any strangers round?” he asked.</p> +<p>“No,” answered Nasmyth, with a dry smile. “That +is, they didn’t get any farther than the head of the gully. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_279' name='page_279'></a>279</span> +Two of them turned up one wet day, and when they +found they couldn’t get down, they explained rather +forcibly what they thought of me.”</p> +<p>Wheeler nodded, and handed the paper across to him.</p> +<p>“I guess you did quite right,” he said. “This should +make it clear that some of the city men with money are +on our trail.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth glanced at the paper, and saw a notification +that certain timber rights in the forest belt surrounding +the valley had been applied for.</p> +<p>“The Charters people!” he declared. “When I was in +Victoria I had a talk with them. I partly expected something +of the kind. By the way, I got a notification from +the rancher I mentioned that, if I continued operations, +proceedings would be begun against me.”</p> +<p>“They mean business,” commented Wheeler, with a +snap in his dark eyes. “It seems to me there are several +of them in the thing, and they evidently expect to get +their hands on the valley one way or another. In all +probability their idea is to let you get most of the work +in, and then scare you into selling out for what they like +to offer. Have you had any big trees coming along +lately?”</p> +<p>“Yes,” answered Mattawa, “one or two went over +the fall this afternoon.”</p> +<p>“Drift logs?”</p> +<p>“Two had the branches chopped off them.”</p> +<p>Wheeler made a sign of comprehension. “Well,” he +predicted, “you’re going to see a good many more of that +kind before very long.” He turned to Nasmyth. “I’m +going to stay over to-morrow. The mill’s held up again. +We had an awkward break, and I can’t get the new fixings +in. You can tell me how you’re getting on.”</p> +<p>They talked until late that night, and on awakening +next morning found the river higher and thick with +shattered ice. It had also crept into the heading, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_280' name='page_280'></a>280</span> +the men who worked in it were knee-deep in water. +They, however, went on as usual, and it was in the +afternoon that several great trees leapt the fall, and, +driving down the rapid, whirled away into the black +depths of the cañon. Wheeler, who stood watching +attentively, nodded as the trees drove by.</p> +<p>“Hemlock. That’s not going to count for milling +purposes,” he observed.</p> +<p>Nasmyth, who came up dripping wet, sat down on a +boulder and took out his pipe.</p> +<p>“Did you expect anything else?” he asked.</p> +<p>Wheeler laughed. “I’m not sure that I did. It +seems to me the men who want those timber rights +don’t figure on doing much milling.” He looked up +sharply. “This one’s red cedar.”</p> +<p>Another great trunk leapt the fall, swept round the +pool, and then brought up with a crash upon the pile of +shattered rock which still lay athwart the head of the +rapid. Nasmyth rose and straightened himself wearily.</p> +<p>“It’s a trifle unfortunate I hadn’t hove that rock +out with the derrick. We’ll have to take hold if the +log won’t swing clear,” he said.</p> +<p>The tree swung a little, and then the thinner head of +it drove in among the boulders and stuck fast. In +another moment a shout rose from a man standing on +the ledge above the fall.</p> +<p>“Quite a batch of big logs coming along!” he called.</p> +<p>Nasmyth thrust his pipe into his pocket, and Wheeler, +who watched him, nodded.</p> +<p>“They’ll jam and pile up,” said Wheeler. “I guess +that’s what the other folks wanted. You have got to +keep them clear.”</p> +<p>In another few moments Nasmyth was beating a suspended +iron sheet, and while its clangour broke through +the roar of the river the men floundered towards him +over the shingle. One or two of them had axes, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_281' name='page_281'></a>281</span> +the rest, running into the shanty, brought out saws and +handspikes. In the meanwhile a huge log crashed upon +the one held fast, and there was no need to tell any of +the men that those which followed would rapidly pile +up into an inextricable confusion of interlocked timber. +There was only one thing to be done, and that was to +cut away the first log, which would hold them back, as +soon as possible.</p> +<p>The men set to work, two or three of them running +recklessly along the rounded top of the slippery trunk, +which rolled a little as it hammered upon the rock. +Mattawa, with a big crosscut saw, crouched on the half-submerged +pile of stone, and a comrade, who seized its +opposite handle, held himself somehow on the second +trunk by his knees. It was difficult to understand how +they could work at all, but they were accustomed to +toiling under embarrassing conditions. The saw had +hardly bitten through the bark when another log drove +grinding against the rest, and Mattawa’s companion, +who let the handle go, fell forward on his face. He +was up again in a moment, and after that stuck fast +while log after log drove smashing upon the growing +mass. Sometimes the one he clung to rose up under +him, and sometimes it sank until he crouched in the +water while another great butt crept up upon it, and +it seemed that he must be crushed between them. Still, +the saw rasped steadily through the heaving, grinding +timber. It was perilous work, but it was clear to all +of them that it had to be done.</p> +<p>In the meanwhile Nasmyth and Gordon stood knee-deep +amidst the white foam of the rapid. The water +was icy cold, and it was with difficulty they kept their +feet, while every now and then a shower of spray that +leapt out from among the timber fell upon them. The +logs were already two deep at that spot, and one great top +ground steadily forward over the others as its pressed-down +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_282' name='page_282'></a>282</span> +butt was driven on by those behind. One could +almost have fancied it was bent on escaping from the +horrible confusion of piled-up trunks that moved on one +another under the impact of the flood. More were +sweeping on, and crash after crash rang through the +hoarse clamour of the fall.</p> +<p>Nasmyth felt very feeble as he whirled the heavy +axe about his head, for that mass of timber was impressively +big. He had torn off his deer-hide jacket, +and his soaked blue shirt gaped open to his waist at +every heave of his shoulders. He stood in icy water, +but the perspiration dripped from him as he swung with +every blow. Though some men with good thews and +sinews can never learn to use the axe to any purpose, +he could chop, and the heavy blade he whirled rang +with a rhythmic precision in the widening notch, then +flashed about his head, and fell with a chunk that was +sharp as a whip-crack into the gap again. In between +Gordon’s axe swept down, and the blades flashed athwart +each other’s orbits without a check or clash. It requires +years to acquire that kind of proficiency with the axe, +but the result is a perfecting of the co-operation between +will and hardened muscle.</p> +<p>It was fortunate that both could chop, for the men +with the crosscut appeared in difficulties. The tree bent +on the pile of rock, and in straining closed the cut upon +the saw. Another man who had joined them was +endeavouring to hammer a wedge in, but with that +crushing weight against him the attempt seemed futile. +He persisted, however, and stood above the white froth +of the rapid, a puny figure dwarfed by the tremendous +rock wall, whirling what appeared to be a wholly insignificant +hammer. His comrades were scattered about +the grinding mass making ineffective efforts to heave a +butt or top clear of the others with their handspikes, +but there was clearly only one vulnerable point of attack, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_283' name='page_283'></a>283</span> +and that was the one Nasmyth and Gordon were +hewing at. Wheeler, who felt the tension, watched +them, clutching hard upon an unlighted pipe. He was +aware that if the mass of timber, which grew rapidly +larger, once wedged itself fast, it might be a month or +two before a flood broke it up; but he had also sense +enough to recognize that, since most of the men’s efforts +were futile, he might just as well sit still.</p> +<p>The trunk was partly hewn through when the top +of it bent outwards, and Gordon flashed an anxious +glance at it. It was evident that if none of the others +wedged themselves in upon and reinforced it the weight +behind would shortly rend the trunk apart. Then the +position would become a particularly perilous one, for +the whole mass would break away in chaotic ruin, and +he and his comrade stood close in front of it; but he +could not tell how much further strain the tree would +bear, and he recognized that it was desirable to hew +the notch as deep as possible before he relinquished +chopping. The axes rang for another two minutes, and +then there was a sudden crash, and a cry from Wheeler +that was drowned in the tumult of sound that rose +from the liberated timber.</p> +<p>Great logs reared their butts or tops out of the +heaving mass. Some rolled round and disappeared +beneath those that crept upon them, but for a moment +or two the shattered trunk, jammed down by the weight +upon it, held them back from the plunge into the rapid. +It smashed among the rocks that ground and rent it as +it slowly gave way, and Wheeler ran his hardest towards +a strip of shingle that projected a little into the river. +He saw Nasmyth, who had evidently lost his footing, +driving downstream towards it, and knew that in +another moment or two the logs would be upon him.</p> +<p>Nasmyth was not exactly swimming. In fact, strictly +speaking, one cannot swim in a rapid, nor when there +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_284' name='page_284'></a>284</span> +is only three or four feet of water can one get upon one’s +feet. He rolled over and over, went down and came +up again, until Wheeler, floundering into the foaming +water, clutched him, and held on desperately, though +he felt that his arm was being drawn out of its socket. +He would probably have been swept away, too, had not +somebody grabbed his jacket, and he heard a hoarse +voice behind him.</p> +<p>“Heave!” it said––“heave!”</p> +<p>The strain on Wheeler’s arm became intolerable, but +somehow he held fast, and just then there was an appalling +crash and roar. He felt himself being dragged +backwards, and in another moment fell heavily upon +the shingle with Nasmyth across his feet. Blinking about +him half dazed, he saw the logs drive by, rolling, grinding, +smashing, and falling on one another. Then, as +they whirled down the rapid, and the roar they made +began to die away, he looked round, and saw several +gasping men standing close behind him.</p> +<p>“Guess that was quite a near thing,” said one of +them. “Any way, in this kind of contract you can +sure figure on trouble.”</p> +<p>This, as a matter of fact, was perfectly correct, for +it is only at considerable peril to life and limb that +saw-logs are driven down the rivers to a Western mill. +They must be guided through each awkward pass and +frothing rapid, and the men who undertake it spring +with pike and peevie from one to another while the +rolling trunks tumultuously charge on.</p> +<p>Nobody, however, troubled himself any further about +the matter, and in a few more minutes the men had +set to work again heaving the rocks that had held up +the first log out of the river with the derrick. It was +not until supper was over, and he sat with his companions +in the shanty, that Wheeler referred to the affair +again. He looked at Nasmyth with a smile.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_285' name='page_285'></a>285</span></div> +<p>“I guess it’s fortunate you got those logs away,” he +said. “It’s probably a little more than the men who +turned them loose on you figured you could do.”</p> +<p>“That,” agreed Nasmyth, “is very much my own +opinion.”</p> +<p>Wheeler filled his pipe. “Now,” he said reflectively, +“anybody can apply for timber rights, and bid for them +at public auction, but the man who secures them must +cut up so many thousand feet every month. Since that’s +the case, it’s quite evident that nobody is likely to bid +for timber rights round the valley, except the Charters +people, who have a little mill on the Klatchquot Inlet, +and they’d probably get the timber rights ’most for +nothing, though they might have to put in a new saw or +two with the object of satisfying the Legislature.”</p> +<p>“It’s rather difficult to see how they expect to make +a profit on hemlock in view of what it would cost them +to get the logs there,” Gordon broke in.</p> +<p>“They don’t want to make a profit.” Wheeler +smiled. “Seems to me it’s their programme to get hold +of the rights cheap, and then worry you because they +can’t run the logs through this cañon. The Legislature +won’t give you land or rights to do nothing with, and +it’s quite likely the Charters people will file a notification +that your workings are the obstacle. Still, they’d +probably make you an offer first. If you let them in +on the ground-floor––handed them a big slice of the +valley or something of the kind––they’d let up on their +timber rights. I’m not sure they could run good milling +fir to that mill at a profit.”</p> +<p>A grim look crept into Nasmyth’s face. Difficulties +were crowding thick upon him, and though he was as +determined as ever on proceeding with the work, he +almost felt that it would be only until they crushed +him.</p> +<p>“It seems to me we are in the hands of the Charters +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_286' name='page_286'></a>286</span> +people, unless I can keep the cañon clear,” he commented.</p> +<p>Wheeler’s eyes twinkled. “Well,” he returned, +“they’re smart. I have, however, come across smart +folks who missed a point or two occasionally. Now, I +saw a couple of red cedar logs among that hemlock.”</p> +<p>He glanced at Mattawa. “Tom, you’ve been round +the head of the valley. Did you strike any trees of that +kind up yonder?”</p> +<p>“A few,” answered Mattawa. “It’s quite likely there +are more.”</p> +<p>“A sure thing. You and I are going out timber-right +prospecting at sun-up to-morrow. Just now they +can’t get red cedar shingles fast enough on to the Eastern +markets.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth looked up and Gordon laughed a soft laugh, +while Wheeler waved his hand.</p> +<p>“Anyone can bid for timber rights,” he declared. +“Now, our folks are open for any business, and we have +got a mill. It’s not going to cost much to put a shingle-splitting +plant in. We have easy water-carriage to the +Inlet, where a schooner can load, and the Charters +people would have to tow their raw material right +along to their mill. Besides, that Inlet’s a blame awkward +place to get a schooner in. It’s quite clear to me +we could cut shingles way cheaper than they could.” +He paused for a moment. “Yes,” he said, “if there’s +milling cedar near the valley, our folks will make their +bid. If Charters wants those rights, he’ll have to put +up the money, and it’s quite likely we’ll take them up +in spite of him if I’m satisfied with my prospecting. In +that case, we’re not going to worry you about the cañon. +In fact, we would probably make you a proposition at +so much the log for running the trees down for us.”</p> +<p>He filled his pipe again, and Nasmyth looked at him +with relief in his eyes.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_287' name='page_287'></a>287</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXVIII_A_PAINFUL_DUTY' id='CHAPTER_XXVIII_A_PAINFUL_DUTY'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXVIII</h2> +<h3>A PAINFUL DUTY</h3> +</div> +<p>Three months had slipped away since the evening +on which Wheeler had discussed the subject of +shingle-splitting with his companions. Nasmyth stood +outside the shanty in the drenching rain. He was +very wet and miry, and his face was lined and worn, +for the three months of unremitting effort had left their +mark on him. Wheeler had secured the timber rights +in question, and that was one difficulty overcome, but +Nasmyth had excellent reasons for believing that the +men who had cast covetous eyes upon the valley had by +no means abandoned the attempt to get possession of at +least part of it.</p> +<p>He had had flood and frost against him, and his +money was rapidly running out. A wild flood swept +through the cañon. The heading was filled up, so that +no one could even see the mouth of it, and half the +rock he had piled upon the shingle had been swept into +the rapid, where it had formed a dam among the boulders +that could be removed only at a heavy expenditure of +time and powder when the water fell. He was worn +out in body, and savage from being foiled by the swollen +river at each attempt he made, but while the odds +against him were rapidly growing heavier he meant to +fight.</p> +<p>A Siwash Indian whom he had hired as messenger +between the cañon and the settlement had just arrived, +and Gordon, who stood in the doorway of the shanty, +took a newspaper out of the wet packet he had brought. +Gordon turned to Nasmyth when he opened it.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_288' name='page_288'></a>288</span></div> +<p>“Wheeler’s getting ahead,” he said. “Here’s his +announcement that his concern is turning out a high-grade +cedar shingle. That’s satisfactory so far as it +goes. I don’t quite know how we’d have held out if +it hadn’t been for the money we got from him for +running the logs down.” Then his voice grew suddenly +eager. “Try to get hold of the significance of this, +Derrick: ‘We have got it on reliable authority that +certain propositions for the exploitation of the virgin +forest-belt beyond the Butte Divide will shortly be laid +before the Legislature. It is expected that liberal support +will be afforded to a project for the making of new +waggon-roads, and we believe that if the scheme is +adopted certain gentlemen in this city will endeavour +to inaugurate a steamboat service with the Western +inlets.’” He waved his hand. “When this particular +paper makes an assertion of that kind, there’s something +going on,” he added. “It’s a sure thing that if +those roads are made, it will put another thirty or forty +cents on to every dollar’s worth of land we’re holding.”</p> +<p>“Exactly,” replied Nasmyth, whose tense face did not +relax. “That is, it would, if we had run the water +out of the valley; but, as it happens, we haven’t cut +down very much of the fall yet, and this thing is going +to make the men we have against us keener than ever. +They’re probably plotting how to strike us now. Get +those letters open.”</p> +<p>There was anxiety in his voice, and Gordon started +when he had ripped open one or two of the envelopes.</p> +<p>“This looks like business,” he remarked, as he glanced +at a letter from a lawyer who had once or twice handled +Nasmyth’s affairs in the city. “It’s from Phelps. He +says he has been notified that, unless an agreement can +be arrived at, proceedings will be taken by a man called +Hames, who claims to hold one hundred acres on the +western side of the valley, to restrain you from altering +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_289' name='page_289'></a>289</span> +the river level. Atterly––he’s the man we’ve heard from +already––it seems, is taking action, too.”</p> +<p>“Hames?” repeated Nasmyth. “I’ve never heard of +him. Any way, he can’t hold land on the western side. +We haven’t sold an acre.” He stopped a moment, and +looked hard at Gordon. “That is, I haven’t sanctioned +it, and I believe there’s nobody holding a share in the +project who would go back on us.”</p> +<p>Gordon made a gesture indicating his doubt in the +subject, and they looked at each other for half a minute.</p> +<p>“I’m afraid I can’t go quite as far as that,” he replied, +and laughed harshly. “As it stands recorded, the land +could be transferred to anyone by Waynefleet. Any +way, it seems to be in his block. Phelps cites the boundary-posts.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth closed one hand tight. Waynefleet, who +had found the constant wetting too much for him, had +left the cañon a week or two before this morning, on +which it was evident a crisis of some sort was near. He +had complained of severe pains in his back and joints, and +had sent them no word after his departure.</p> +<p>“Is there anything from him?” asked Nasmyth.</p> +<p>Gordon picked out an envelope and opened it. +“Here’s a note from Miss Waynefleet. She desires you +to ride across at once.”</p> +<p>With a troubled face Nasmyth stood still in the rain +another minute.</p> +<p>“I’ll take the pack-horse and start now,” he said after +a brief silence. “When I have seen Miss Waynefleet, +I’ll go right on to Victoria.” He turned and gazed at +the river. “If one could get into the heading by any +means, I’d fire every stick of giant-powder in it first. +Unfortunately, the thing is out of the question.”</p> +<p>In a few moments he was scrambling up the gully, +and Gordon, who went into the shanty and lighted his +pipe, sat gazing at the letters very thoughtfully. They +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_290' name='page_290'></a>290</span> +had no money to spare for any legal expenses. Indeed, +he was far from sure they had enough to supply them +with powder and provisions until their task was accomplished. +During the long grim fight in the cañon they +had borne almost all that could be expected of flesh +and blood, and it was unthinkable that the city man, who +sat snug in his office and plotted, should lay grasping +hands upon the profit. Still, that seemed possible now +that somebody had betrayed them.</p> +<p>Meantime, Nasmyth had swung himself into the pack-saddle, +and, in the rain, was scrambling up the rocky +slopes of the divide. He had not changed his clothing, +and it would have availed him little if he had, since +there was a long day’s ride before him. The trail was +a little easier than it had been, for each man who led +the pack-horse along it had hewn through some obstacle, +but it was still sufficiently difficult, and every here and +there a frothing torrent swept across it. There were +slopes of wet rock to be scrambled over, several leagues +of dripping forest thick with undergrowth that clung +about the narrow trail to be floundered through, and all +the time the great splashes from the boughs or torrential +rain beat upon him. In places he led the pack-horse, +in places he rode, and dusk was closing in when he saw +a blink of light across Waynefleet’s clearing. In another +few minutes he had led the jaded horse into the stable, +and then, splashed with mire, and with the water running +from his clothes, had limped to the homestead door.</p> +<p>Nasmyth opened the door and saw Laura Waynefleet +sitting by the stove. She started as he came in.</p> +<p>“I have been expecting you,” she said. She gave him +her hand and her eyes met his with a look of anxiety. +She noticed his appearance of weariness and the condition +of his clothing. “I can get you something dry to +put on,” she added.</p> +<p>“No,” said Nasmyth, “you must not trouble. I +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_291' name='page_291'></a>291</span> +would be quite as wet again, soon after I leave here. +If I can borrow a horse, I must push on to the railroad +in an hour.”</p> +<p>“To-night?” asked Laura. “After riding in from the +cañon, it’s out of the question. Besides, you could never +get through the Willow Ford. Listen to the rain.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth sank wearily into the nearest chair, and +heard the deluge lash the shingled roof.</p> +<p>“I’m afraid it must be done,” he declared.</p> +<p>Laura laid supper upon the table, and insisted that he +should eat before she made any reference to the object +she had in hand. Then, while he sat beside the stove +with his clothes steaming, she looked at him steadily, +and a little colour crept into her face.</p> +<p>“I wonder if you can guess why I sent for you?” +she said.</p> +<p>“Where is your father?” Nasmyth asked abruptly.</p> +<p>“In Victoria. He left six days ago. I suppose he +sent you no word that he was going.”</p> +<p>“No,” answered Nasmyth very dryly, “he certainly +didn’t. I don’t think I could have expected it from +him.”</p> +<p>He sat silent for almost a minute, looking at her with +a troubled air, and though Laura was very quiet, her +manner was vaguely suggestive of tension. It was +Nasmyth who broke the silence.</p> +<p>“I believe you have something to tell me, Miss +Waynefleet,” he said. “Still, I would sooner you didn’t, +if it will hurt you. After all, it’s rather more than possible +that I can arrive at the information by some other +means.”</p> +<p>The tinge of colour grew plainer in Laura’s face, but +it was evident that she laid a firm restraint upon herself. +“Ah!” she cried, “it has hurt me horribly already. +I can’t get over the shame of it. But that isn’t what I +meant to speak of. I feel”––and her voice grew tense +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_292' name='page_292'></a>292</span> +and strained––“I must try to save you and the others +from a piece of wicked treachery.”</p> +<p>She straightened herself, and there was a flash in her +eyes, but Nasmyth raised one hand.</p> +<p>“No,” he protested, almost sternly, “I can’t let you +do this. You would remember it ever afterwards with +regret.”</p> +<p>The girl seemed to nerve herself for an effort, and +when she spoke her voice was impressively quiet.</p> +<p>“You must listen and try to understand,” she said.</p> +<p>“It is not only because it would hurt me to see you +and the others tricked out of what you have worked +so hard for that I feel I must tell you. If there was +nothing more than that, I might, perhaps, never have +told you, after all. I want to save my father from a +shameful thing.” Her voice broke away, and the crimson +flush on her face deepened as she went on again. +“He has been offering to sell land that can’t belong to +him,” she asserted accusingly.</p> +<p>Nasmyth felt sorry for her, and he made an attempt +to offer her a grain of consolation.</p> +<p>“A few acres are really his,” he said. “I made them +over to him.”</p> +<p>“To be his only if he did his share, and when the +scheme proved successful,” Laura interrupted. “I know, +if he has sold them, what an opportunity of harassing +you it will give the men who are plotting against you. +Still, now you know, you can, perhaps, break off the +bargain. I want you to do what you can”––and she +glanced at him with a tense look in her eyes––“if it is +only to save him.”</p> +<p>“That,” replied Nasmyth quietly, “is, for quite +another reason, the object I have in view. I would like +you to understand that I have guessed that he had failed +us already. It may be some little consolation. Now, +perhaps, you had better tell me exactly what you know.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_293' name='page_293'></a>293</span></div> +<p>Laura did so, and it proved to be no more than +Nasmyth had suspected. Letters had passed between +Waynefleet and somebody in Victoria, and the day after +he left for that city two men, who had evidently crossed +him on the way, arrived at the ranch. One said his +name was Hames, and his conversation suggested that he +supposed the girl was acquainted with her father’s affairs. +In any case, what he said made it clear that he +had either purchased, or was about to purchase from +Waynefleet, certain land in the valley. After staying +half an hour, the men had, Laura understood, set out +again for Victoria.</p> +<p>When she had told him this, Nasmyth sat thoughtfully +silent a minute or two. Her courage and hatred +of injustice had stirred him deeply, for he knew what +it must have cost her to discuss the subject of her father’s +wrongdoing with him. He was also once more overwhelmingly +sorry for her. There was nobody she could +turn to for support or sympathy, and it was evident that +if he succeeded in foiling Hames, it would alienate her +from her father. Waynefleet, he felt, was not likely to +forgive her for the efforts she had made to save him from +being drawn into an act of profitable treachery.</p> +<p>“Well,” he said after a moment’s thought, “I am +going on to Victoria to see what can be done, but there is +another matter that is troubling me. I wonder if it has +occurred to you that your father will find it very difficult +to stay on at the ranch when the part he has played +becomes apparent. I am almost afraid the boys will be +vindictive.”</p> +<p>“I believe he has not expected to carry on the ranch +much longer. It is heavily mortgaged, and he has been +continually pressed for money.”</p> +<p>“Has he any plans?”</p> +<p>Laura smiled wearily. “He has always plans. I +believe he intends to go to one of the towns on Puget +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_294' name='page_294'></a>294</span> +Sound, and start a land agency.” She made a dejected +gesture. “I don’t expect him to succeed in it, but perhaps +I could earn a little.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth set his lips tight, and there was concern in +his face. She looked very forlorn, and he knew that +she was friendless. He could hardly bring himself to +contemplate the probability of her being cast adrift, +saddled with a man who, it was evident, would only +involve her in fresh disasters, and, he fancied, reproach +her as the cause of them. A gleam of anger crept into +his eyes.</p> +<p>“If your father had only held on with us, I could +have saved you this,” he observed.</p> +<p>There was a great sadness in Laura’s smile.</p> +<p>“Still,” she replied, “he didn’t, and perhaps you +couldn’t have expected it of him. He sees only the difficulties, +and I am afraid never tries to face them.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth felt his self-control deserting him. He was +conscious of an almost overwhelming desire to save the +girl from the results of her father’s dishonesty and folly, +and he could see no way in which it could be done. Then +it was borne in upon him that in another moment or +two he would probably say or do something that he +would regret afterwards, and she would resent, and, +rising stiffly, he held out his hand.</p> +<p>“I must push on to the railroad,” he said, and he +held the hand she gave him in a firm clasp. “Miss +Waynefleet, you saved my life, and I believe I owe you +quite as much in other ways. It’s a fact that neither +of us can attempt to disregard. I want you to promise +that you will, at least, not leave the ranch without +telling me.”</p> +<p>Laura flashed a quick glance at him, and perhaps she +saw more than he suspected in his insistent gaze, for +she strove to draw her hand away. He held it fast, +however, while his nerves thrilled and his heart beat +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_295' name='page_295'></a>295</span> +furiously. He remembered Violet Hamilton vaguely, +but there came upon him a compelling desire to draw this +girl to whom he owed so much into his arms and comfort +her. They both stood very still a moment, and +Nasmyth heard the snapping of the stove with a startling +distinctness. Then––and it cost him a strenuous effort––he +let her hand go.</p> +<p>“You will promise,” he insisted hoarsely.</p> +<p>“Yes,” answered Laura, “before I go away I will +tell you.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth went out into the blackness and the rain, +while Laura sat trembling until she heard the beat of +his horse’s hoofs. Then she sank lower, a limp huddled +figure, in the canvas chair. The stove snapped noisily, +and the pines outside set up a doleful wailing, but, +except for that, it was very still in the desolate ranch.</p> +<p>Nasmyth rode on until he borrowed a fresh horse from +a man who lived a few miles along the trail. There +was a cheerful light from the windows as he rode into +a little settlement, and the trail to the railroad led +through dripping forest and over a towering range, but +he did not draw bridle. He was aching all over, and +the water ran from his garments, but he scarcely seemed +to feel his weariness then, and he pushed on resolutely +through the rain up the climbing trail.</p> +<p>He remembered very little of that ride afterwards, or +what he thought about during it. The strain of the +last few minutes he had passed at Waynefleet’s ranch +had left him dazed, and part of his numbness, at least, +was due to weariness. Several times he was almost flung +from the saddle as the horse scrambled down a slope +of rock. Willow-branches lashed him as he pushed +through the thickets, and in one place it was only by +a grim effort that he drove the frightened beast to ford +a flooded creek. Then there was a strip of hillside to +be skirted, where the slope was almost sheer beneath +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_296' name='page_296'></a>296</span> +the edge of the winding trail, and the rain that drove up +the valley beat into his eyes. Still he held on, and two +hours after sunrise rode half asleep into the little mining +town. There was a train in the station, and, turning +the horse over to a man he met, he climbed, dripping as +he was, into a car.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_297' name='page_297'></a>297</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXIX_A_FUTILE_SCHEME' id='CHAPTER_XXIX_A_FUTILE_SCHEME'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXIX</h2> +<h3>A FUTILE SCHEME</h3> +</div> +<p>There was bright sunshine at Bonavista when +Nasmyth, who had been told at the station that +Acton had arrived from Victoria the day before, +limped out from the shadow of the surrounding Bush, +and stood still a moment or two, glancing across the +trim lawn and terrace towards the wooden house. The +spacious dwelling, gay with its brightly painted lattice +shutters, dainty scroll-work, and colonnades of wooden +pillars, rose against the sombre woods, and he wondered +with some anxiety whether Mrs. Acton had many guests +in it. He had no desire to fall in with any strangers, +for he was worn out and aching, and he still wore the +old duck clothing in which he had left the cañon. It +might, he fancied, be possible to slip into the house and +change before he presented himself to Mrs. Acton, though +he was by no means sure that the garments in the valise +he carried in his hand were dry. He could see nobody +on the terrace, and moved forward hastily until he +stopped in consternation as he crossed one of the verandas. +The sunlight streamed in, and Mrs. Acton and +Violet Hamilton sat upon the seat which ran along the +back of it. The girl started when she saw him, and +Nasmyth stood looking down on her, worn in face and +heavy-eyed, with his workman’s garb clinging, tight and +mire-stained, about his limbs. There was, however, a +certain grimness in his smile. He had seen the girl’s +start and her momentary shrinking, and it occurred to +him that there was a significance in the fact that it had +not greatly hurt him.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_298' name='page_298'></a>298</span></div> +<p>“I must make my excuses for turning up in this +condition,” he apologized. “I had to start for the railroad +at a moment’s notice, and it rained all the way, +while, when I reached it, the train was in the depôt. +You see, my business is rather urgent.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Acton laughed. “Evidently,” she said. “I +think we were both a trifle startled when we saw you. +I should be sorry to hear that anything had gone seriously +wrong, but you remind one of the man who brought the +news of Flodden.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth made a quick gesture of denial. “Well,” +he announced bravely, “our standard is flying yet, and I +almost think we can make another rally or two. Still, +I have come for reinforcements. Mr. Acton is in?”</p> +<p>“He is. As it happened, he came up from Victoria +yesterday. I believe he is discussing some repairs to the +steamer with George just now. I’ll send you out a +plate of something and a glass of wine. You can’t have +had any lunch.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Acton rose, and Nasmyth, who sat down, looked +at Violet with a smile. She was evidently not quite at +ease.</p> +<p>“You really haven’t welcomed me very effusively,” +he remarked.</p> +<p>The girl flushed. “I don’t think I could be blamed +for that,” she returned. “I was startled.”</p> +<p>“And perhaps just a little annoyed?”</p> +<p>The colour grew plainer in Violet’s cheeks. “Well,” +she averred, “that isn’t so very unnatural. After all, +I don’t mind admitting that I wish you hadn’t come +like this.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth glanced down at his attire, and nodded +gravely. “It’s certainly not altogether becoming,” he +admitted. “I made that hole drilling, but I fancied I +had mended the thing. Still, you see, I had to start on +the moment, and I rode most of twenty-four hours in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_299' name='page_299'></a>299</span> +the rain. I suppose”––and he hesitated while he studied +her face––“I might have tidied myself at the depôt, +but, as it happened, I didn’t think of it, which was, no +doubt, very wrong of me.”</p> +<p>“It was, at least, a little inconsiderate.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth laughed good-humouredly, though he recognized +that neither his weariness nor the fact that it +must manifestly be business of some consequence that +had brought him there in that guise had any weight with +her. He had, after all, a wide toleration, and he +acknowledged to himself that her resentment was not +unreasonable.</p> +<p>“I’ve no doubt that I was inconsiderate,” he said. +“Still, you see, I was worried about our affairs in the +cañon.”</p> +<p>“The cañon!” repeated Violet reproachfully. “It is +always the cañon. I wonder if you remember that it +is at least a month since you have written a line to me.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth was disconcerted, for a moment’s reflection +convinced him that the accusation was true.</p> +<p>“Well,” he confessed, “I have certainly been shamefully +remiss. Of course, I was busy from dawn to +sunset, but, after all, I’m afraid that is really no excuse.”</p> +<p>The girl frowned. “No,” she said, “it isn’t.”</p> +<p>It was a slight relief to Nasmyth that a maid appeared +just then, and he took a glass of wine from the +tray she laid upon a little table.</p> +<p>“To the brightest eyes in this Province!” he said, +when the servant had gone, and, emptying the glass, he +fell upon the food voraciously.</p> +<p>It was unfortunate that in such unattractive guise he +had come upon Violet, and the fashion in which he ate +also had its effect on her. In the last thirty hours he had +had only one hasty meal, and he showed a voracity that +offended her fastidious taste. He was worn out and +anxious, and since all his thoughts were fixed upon the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_300' name='page_300'></a>300</span> +business that he had in hand, he could not rouse himself +to act according to the manner expected of a lover who +returns after a long absence. It was, however, once +more borne in upon him that this was significant.</p> +<p>Violet, on her part, felt repelled by him. He was +gaunt and lean, and the state of his garments had +shocked her. His hands were hard and battered. She +was very dainty, and in some respects unduly sensitive, +and it did not occur to her that it would have been more +natural if, in place of shrinking, she had been sensible +only of a tender pity for him. Perhaps there were excuses +for her attitude. She had never been brought into +contact with the grim realities of life, and it is only from +those whom that befalls that one can expect the wide +sympathy which springs from comprehension. Nasmyth, +lounging at Bonavista with amusing speeches on his lips +and his air of easy deference, had been a somewhat +romantic figure, and the glimpses of the struggle in the +Bush that he had given her had appealed to her imagination. +She could feel the thrill of it when she saw it +through his eyes with all the unpleasantly realistic features +carefully wiped out, but it was different now that +he had come back to her with the dust and stain of the +conflict fresh upon him. The evidences of his strife were +only repulsive, and she shrank from them. She watched +him with a growing impatience until he rose and laid his +empty plate aside.</p> +<p>“Well,” he observed, “you will excuse me. I must +see Mr. Acton as soon as I can.”</p> +<p>It was not in any way a tactful speech, and Violet +resented it. The man, it seemed, had only deferred the +business he had on hand for a meal. She looked at him +with her displeasure flashing in her eyes.</p> +<p>“In that case,” she said, “I should, of course, be +sorry to keep you away from him.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth gazed at her curiously, but he did not reply. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_301' name='page_301'></a>301</span> +He went away from her. A few minutes later when he +entered Acton’s room he was attired in conventional +fashion. His host shook hands with him, and then +leaned back in a chair, waiting for him to speak, which +he did with a trace of diffidence.</p> +<p>“My object is to borrow money,” he explained +frankly. “I couldn’t resent it in the least if you sent me +on to somebody else.”</p> +<p>“I’ll hear what you have to say in the first case,” +replied Acton. “You had better explain exactly how +you stand.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth did so as clearly as he could, and Acton +looked at him thoughtfully for a moment or two.</p> +<p>“I’ve been partly expecting this,” he observed. “It’s +quite clear that one or two of the big land exploitation +people have a hand in the thing. I guess I could put +my finger right down on them. You said the man’s +name was Hames?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth said it was, and Acton sat thinking for several +minutes.</p> +<p>“It seems to me that the folks I have in my mind +haven’t been quite smart enough,” he declared at length. +“They should have put up a sounder man. As it happens, +I know a little about the one they fixed upon. Mr. +Hames is what you could call a professional claim-jumper, +and it’s fortunate that there’s a weak spot or +two in his career.”</p> +<p>Acton paused, and Nasmyth waited in tense expectancy +until the older man turned to him again, with a twinkle +in his eyes.</p> +<p>“I almost think I can take a hand in this thing, and +to commence with, we’ll go down to Victoria this afternoon +and call on Mr. Hames,” he added. “If he has +bought that land, it will probably be registered in his +name. The men you have against you are rather fond +of working in the dark. Then we come to another +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_302' name='page_302'></a>302</span> +point––what it would be wisest to do with Waynefleet, who +went back on you. You said he had a mortgage on his +ranch. You know who holds it?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth said he did not know, and Acton nodded. +“Any way,” he rejoined, “we can ascertain it in the +city. Now, I guess you would like that man run right +out of the neighbourhood? It would be safest, and it +might perhaps be done.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth was startled by this suggestion, and with a +thoughtful face he sat wondering what was most advisable. +He bore Waynefleet very little good-will, but +it was clear that Laura must share any trouble that +befell her father, and he could not at any cost lay a +heavier load upon her. He was conscious that Acton +was watching him intently.</p> +<p>“No,” he objected, “I don’t want him driven out. In +fact, I should be satisfied with making it impossible for +him to enter into any arrangement of the kind again.”</p> +<p>“In that case, I guess we’ll try to buy up his mortgage,” +remarked Acton. “Land’s going to be dearer +in that district presently.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth looked at him with a little confusion. “It +is very kind, but, after all, I have no claim on you.”</p> +<p>“No,” agreed Acton, with a smile, “you haven’t in +one way. This is, however, a kind of thing I’m more +at home in than you seem to be, and there was a little +promise I made your uncle. For another thing”––and +he waved his hand––“I’m going to take a reasonable +profit out of you.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth made no further objections, and they set +out for Victoria that afternoon. Hames was, however, +not readily traced; and when, on the following morning, +they sat in Acton’s office waiting his appearance, Nasmyth +was conscious of a painful uncertainty. Acton, with a +smile on his face, leaned back in his chair until Hames was +shown in. Hames was a big, bronze-faced man, plainly +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_303' name='page_303'></a>303</span> +dressed in city clothes, but there was, Nasmyth noticed, +a trace of half-furtive uneasiness in his eyes. Acton +looked up at him quietly, and let him stand for several +moments. Then he waved his hand toward a +chair.</p> +<p>“Won’t you sit down? We have got to have a talk,” +said Acton. “I’ll come right to the point. You have +have been buying land.”</p> +<p>Hames sat down. “I can’t quite figure how that concerns +you,” he replied. “I’m not going to worry about +it, any way.”</p> +<p>“I want that land––the block you bought from +Waynefleet.”</p> +<p>“It’s not for sale,” asserted Hames. “If you have +nothing else to put before me, I’ll get on. I’m busy this +morning.”</p> +<p>Acton leaned forward in his chair. “When I’m in +the city, I’m usually busy, too,” he said; “in fact, I’ve +just three or four minutes to spare for you, and I expect +to get through in that time. To begin with, you sent +Mr. Hutton a note from your hotel when my clerk came +for you. He never got it. You can have it back unopened. +I can guess what’s in the thing.” He handed +Hames an envelope. “Now,” he went on, “you can +make a fuss about it, but I guess it wouldn’t be wise. +Hutton doesn’t know quite as much about you as I do. +I’ve had a finger in most of what has been done in this +Province the last few years, and it’s not often I forget a +man. Well, I guess I could mention one or two little +affairs that were not altogether creditable which you had +a share in.”</p> +<p>Hames laughed. “It’s quite likely.”</p> +<p>“Still, what you don’t know is that I’m on the inside +track of what was done when the Hobson folks jumped +the Black Crag claim. There was considerable trouble +over the matter.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_304' name='page_304'></a>304</span></div> +<p>Nasmyth saw Hames start, but he apparently braced +himself with an effort.</p> +<p>“Any way,” replied Hames, “that was ’most four +years ago, and there’s not a man who had a hand in it +in this Province now.”</p> +<p>Acton shook his head. “There’s one. I can put my +hand on your partner Okanagon Jim just when I want +to.”</p> +<p>There was no doubt that Hames was alarmed.</p> +<p>“Jim was drowned crossing the river the night the +water broke into the Black Crag shaft,” he declared.</p> +<p>“His horse was, and the boys found his hat. That, +however, is quite a played-out trick. If you’re not +satisfied, I can fix it for you to meet him here any time +you like.”</p> +<p>Hames made a motion of acknowledgment. “I don’t +want to see him––that’s a sure thing! I guess you know +it was fortunate that Jim and two or three of the other +boys got out of the shaft that night. Well, I guess that +takes me. If Jim’s around, I’ll put down my cards.”</p> +<p>“It’s wisest,” advised Acton. “Now, I’m going to +buy that land Waynefleet sold from you––or, rather, he’s +going to give you your money back for it. You can +arrange the thing with Hutton––who, I believe, supplied +the money––afterwards as best you can.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth fancied Hames was relieved that no more +was expected from him.</p> +<p>“I guess I’m in your hands,” observed Hames.</p> +<p>“Then,” Acton said, “you can wait in my clerk’s +office until I’m ready to go over with you to Waynefleet’s +hotel.”</p> +<p>Hames went out, and Acton turned to Nasmyth. +“He was hired with a few others to jump the claim he +mentioned, and there was trouble over it. As usual, +just what happened never quite came out, but that man +left his partner to face the boys, who scarcely managed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_305' name='page_305'></a>305</span> +to escape with their lives that night. The man who +holds Waynefleet’s mortgage should be here at any moment.”</p> +<p>The man arrived in a few minutes. After he had +sat down and had taken the cigar Acton offered him, he +was ready to talk business.</p> +<p>“You have a mortgage on Rancher Waynefleet’s holding +in the Bush,” said Acton. “I understand you’ve had +some trouble in getting what he owes you.”</p> +<p>The man nodded. “That’s certainly the case,” he +said. “I bought up quite a lot of land before I laid +down the mill, but after I did that I let most of it go. +In fact, I’m quite willing to let up on Waynefleet’s +holding, too. I can’t get a dollar out of him.”</p> +<p>“Have you offered to sell the mortgage to anybody?”</p> +<p>“I saw Martial and the Charters people not long +ago. They’d give about eighty cents on the dollar. +Hutton said he’d make me a bid, but he didn’t.”</p> +<p>“Well,” said Acton, “my friend here wants that +ranch for a particular purpose. He’d bid you ninety.”</p> +<p>“I can’t do it. If the new roads that have been +suggested are made, the ranch ought to bring me a little +more. Still, I don’t mind letting you in at what I gave +for it.”</p> +<p>Acton looked at Nasmyth.</p> +<p>“Then,” said Acton, “we’ll call it a bargain. You +can write me a note to that effect, and I’ll send my clerk +across with the papers presently.”</p> +<p>The man went out a few minutes later, and Acton +rose.</p> +<p>“I’ll charge you bank interest; but if you care to +put the mortgage up for sale, you’ll get your money +back ’most any time after they start those roads,” Acton +said to Nasmyth. “Now we’ll go along and call on +Waynefleet.”</p> +<p>They went out with Hames, and a little while later +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_306' name='page_306'></a>306</span> +came upon Waynefleet sitting on the veranda of a second-rate +hotel. He was dressed immaculately, and with +a cigar in his hand, lay in a big chair. He started when +he saw them. Hames grinned, and sat down close in +front of him.</p> +<p>“I’m going back on my bargain. I want my money +and you can keep your land,” he said. “The fact is +Mr. Acton has got on my trail, and he’s not the kind of +man I have any use for fighting.”</p> +<p>There was consternation in Waynefleet’s face, but he +straightened himself with an effort.</p> +<p>“I suppose you have brought this man, Mr. Nasmyth, +and I scarcely think it is quite what one would have +expected from you––at least, until you had afforded +me the opportunity of offering you an explanation,” he +blustered.</p> +<p>“Can you offer me one that any sensible man would +listen to?” Nasmyth asked sharply.</p> +<p>“He can’t,” Acton broke in. “We’re out on business. +You may as well make it clear that we understand +the thing.”</p> +<p>Waynefleet turned and looked at Acton with lifted +brows, and had he been less angry, Nasmyth could have +laughed at his attitude. Waynefleet’s air of supercilious +resentment was inimitable.</p> +<p>“You have some interest in this affair?” he inquired.</p> +<p>“Oh, yes,” answered Acton cheerfully. “Still, you +needn’t worry about me. All you have to do is to hand +this man over the money and record the new sale. We +don’t want any unpleasantness, but it has to be done.”</p> +<p>Waynefleet appeared to recognize that there was no +remedy.</p> +<p>“In that case there is the difficulty that I can’t quite +raise the amount paid,” he said. “Travelling and my +stay in the city have cost me something.”</p> +<p>“How much are you short?”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_307' name='page_307'></a>307</span></div> +<p>“About a hundred dollars.”</p> +<p>“Then,” replied Acton, “I’ll take a bill for the +money. We’ll go along and record the sale as soon as +Mr. Nasmyth’s ready. I expect he has something to say +to you.”</p> +<p>Acton went into the hotel with Hames, and there was +an awkward silence when they had disappeared. Nasmyth +leaned against a wooden pillar, and Waynefleet +sat still, waiting for him to speak. Nasmyth turned to +him.</p> +<p>“It would, perhaps, be preferable to regard this affair +from a strictly business point of view,” said Nasmyth. +“You are, of course, in our hands, but to save your +credit and to protect Miss Waynefleet from any embarrassment, +we shall probably not insist upon your handing +over the land to anybody else. I think we are safe in +doing that. Now that you have signally failed, you will +not have nerve enough to attempt to betray us again.”</p> +<p>Waynefleet waved his hand. “I resent the attitude +you have adopted. It is not by any means what I am +accustomed to, or should have expected from you.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth felt a faint, contemptuous pity for the man, +who still endeavoured to retain his formality of manner.</p> +<p>“I’m afraid that hasn’t any great effect on me, and +my attitude is, at least, a natural one,” he said. “I believe +that Gordon and I can arrange that the boys do +not hear of your recent action, and though you will take +no further part in our affairs, you will stay on at the +ranch. I may mention that I have just bought up your +mortgage.”</p> +<p>A flush of anger showed in Waynefleet’s cheeks.</p> +<p>“Is it in any way your business where I live?” he +asked.</p> +<p>“No,” answered Nasmyth, “not in the least––that is, +as far as it affects yourself. Still, I am determined that +Miss Waynefleet shall have no fresh cause for anxiety. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_308' name='page_308'></a>308</span> +I don’t mind admitting that I owe a great deal to her.” +He paused for a moment, and then turned to Waynefleet +with a forceful gesture. “When you have bought +back the land from Hames, I don’t suppose you will have +a dollar in your possession, and the ranch belongs to +me. As I said, you will stay––at least, until you can +satisfy me that you can maintain yourself and Miss +Waynefleet in some degree of comfort if you go away. +Now I believe the others are waiting. We will go along +and get the sale recorded.”</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_309' name='page_309'></a>309</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXX_SECOND_THOUGHTS' id='CHAPTER_XXX_SECOND_THOUGHTS'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXX</h2> +<h3>SECOND THOUGHTS</h3> +</div> +<p>It was getting dusk when Wheeler swung himself from +the saddle near the head of the gully and, with the +bridle of the jaded horse in his hand, stood still a +few moments looking about him. A wonderful green +transparency still shone high up above the peaks, whose +jagged edges cut into it sharply with the cold blue-white +gleam of snow, but upon the lower slopes there was a +balmy softness in the air, which was heavy with the +odours of fir and cedar. Summer was breaking suddenly +upon the mountain-land, but Wheeler, who had crossed +the divide in bright sunshine, was sensible of a certain +shrinking as he glanced down into the depths of the +cañon. A chilly mist streamed up out of it, and the +great rift looked black and grim and forbidding.</p> +<p>Wheeler noticed a dusky figure beneath the firs, and, +moving towards it, came upon a man with a pipe in his +hand, sitting upon a fallen tree. In view of the strenuous +activity that was the rule in the cañon, such leisure was +unusual.</p> +<p>“Well,” he remarked, “you don’t seem busy, any +way.”</p> +<p>The man grinned. “I’m looking out,” he replied. +“Guess I’ve had my eye on you for the last few minutes, +and a stranger wouldn’t have got quite so far. You +haven’t got any papers from the courts on you?”</p> +<p>“No,” said Wheeler, who noticed that there was a +rifle lying near the man, “I haven’t. Still, if I’d looked +like a lawyer or a court officer–––”</p> +<p>“Then,” asserted the man, “it’s a sure thing you +wouldn’t have got in. The boys have enough giant-powder +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_310' name='page_310'></a>310</span> +rammed into the heading to lift the bottom right +out of the cañon two minutes after any suspicious stranger +comes along.”</p> +<p>Wheeler laughed, for it was evident to him that Nasmyth +had been taking precautions, and, turning away, he +led his horse down the gully. It grew colder as he proceeded, +and a chilly breeze swept the white mist about +him. The trees, that shook big drops of moisture down +on him, were wailing, but he could hear them only faintly +through the clamour of the fall. He left the horse with +a man he came upon lower down, and, reaching the +shingle at the water’s edge, saw the great derrick swing +black athwart the glare of a big fire. The smoke whirled +about the dark rock wall, and here and there dusky figures +were toiling knee-deep amid the white froth of the +rapid. The figures emerged from the blackness and vanished +into it again, as the flickering radiance rose and +fell. Scrambling to the ledge above the fall, Wheeler +found two men standing near the mouth of the heading, +which was just level with the pool.</p> +<p>“Where’s Nasmyth, boys?” he inquired.</p> +<p>“Inside,” answered one of the men. “Guess he’s +wedging up the heading. If you want him, you’d better +crawl right in.”</p> +<p>Wheeler glanced down at the black mouth of the tunnel, +on which the streaming radiance fell. He fancied +that the river flowed into it, and the man’s suggestion +did not appeal to him.</p> +<p>“Won’t you tell him that I’d like a talk with him?” +he asked.</p> +<p>The man laughed. “Guess that’s not going to bring +him. It will be daylight, any way, before he lets up. +You’ll have to go right in.”</p> +<p>Wheeler dropped cautiously upon a slippery staging, +across which the water flowed, and, crawling into the +heading, with a blinking light in his eyes, fell into a sled +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_311' name='page_311'></a>311</span> +that was loaded with broken rock. He crept round +the obstruction, and a few moments later found himself +knee-deep in water before a little dam that had been +thrown across the heading. The heading dipped sharply +beyond it, which somewhat astonished him, and when he +had climbed over the barricade, he descended cautiously, +groping towards another light. Big drops of water fell +upon him, and here and there a jet of it spurted out. At +last he stopped, and saw Nasmyth lying, partly raised on +one elbow, in an inch or two of water, while he painfully +swung a heavy hammer. The heading was lined +with stout pillars, made of sawn-up firs, and Nasmyth +appeared to be driving a wedge under one of them. Two +or three other men were putting heavy masses of timber +into place.</p> +<p>The smoky flame of a little lamp flared upon the rock +above, which trickled with moisture, and the light fell +upon Nasmyth’s wet face, which was deeply flushed. +Nasmyth gasped heavily, and great splashes of sand and +mire lay thick upon his torn, drenched shirt. He appeared +to see Wheeler, for he looked up, but he did not +stop until he had driven the wedge in. Then he rose to +his knees and stretched himself wearily.</p> +<p>“The rock’s badly fissured. We’ve got to get double +timbers in as soon as we can,” he explained. “I’m going +to do some boring. We’ll go along.”</p> +<p>Wheeler crept after him down the inclined heading +until they reached the spot where Gordon sat crouched +over a machine. Gordon did not move until Nasmyth +seized his shoulders.</p> +<p>“You can get back to the wedging, and send two or +three boys along to heave the water out. I’ll keep this +thing going,” he said.</p> +<p>Gordon, who greeted Wheeler, floundered away, and +Wheeler sat down in the dryest spot he could find, while +Nasmyth grasped the handle of the machine.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_312' name='page_312'></a>312</span></div> +<p>“There’s no reason why you shouldn’t smoke,” he +said.</p> +<p>“That,” replied Wheeler, “is a point I’m not quite +sure about. How many sticks of giant-powder have you +rammed into this heading? As you know, it’s apt to be +a little uncertain.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth laughed as he glanced at the flaring lamp +above his head. “There’s a hole with a stick in it just +at your elbow. I’ve been filling the holes as we made +them. In view of what I expect those folks in the city +are arranging, it seemed advisable.”</p> +<p>Wheeler was sensible of a certain uneasiness as he listened +to the crunch of the boring tool and the jarring +thud of the hammers.</p> +<p>“What are you going so far down for?” he asked.</p> +<p>“To get into sounder rock. It’s costing us considerable +time that we can badly spare, but once or twice I +fancied the whole river was coming in on us. Now +we’re getting almost through, I want to make quite sure.”</p> +<p>Wheeler nodded. “I guess that’s wise. So far, we +have come out ahead of Hutton and the rest of them,” +he asserted. “Our people hold the timber rights, and we +have got the shingle-splitting plant in. You headed him +off in Waynefleet’s case, and there only remains the man +with the old Bush claim. There’s, unfortunately, no +doubt about his title to the ranch, and it’s a sure thing +the folks in the city will put him up again. Have you +heard from him lately?”</p> +<p>“I have,” answered Nasmyth, with a smile. “As you +know, I made him half a dozen different offers to buy +him out. He naturally didn’t close with them, but he +wrote trying to raise me, and kept the thing up rather +well. Of course, it was evident that his friends were +quite willing to let me get most of the work done before +they showed their hand too visibly. I scarcely fancy +they know how near we are to getting through, though +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_313' name='page_313'></a>313</span> +that rancher man’s lawyer said something about taking +proceedings a little while ago.”</p> +<p>“Suppose they went to court, and served you with a +notice to quit what you’re doing?”</p> +<p>Nasmyth, turning, pointed with a wet, scarred hand to +several holes in the side of the heading, from which a +wire projected.</p> +<p>“Well,” he said, “they’d have to serve it, and while +their man was trying to get down the gully I’d rip most +of the bottom out of this strip of cañon. I’m not sure +we haven’t gone far enough already to split up the whole +ridge that’s holding back the river. Still, I’m going on +a little. I mean to make sure.” He bent over the machine. +“You have brought up some letters? The man +has, perhaps, been trying to worry me again.”</p> +<p>“Two or three,” replied Wheeler. “I called at the +settlement for them. One is evidently from a lady.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth swung round again and took the little dainty +envelope from him. He smeared it with his wet hands +as he opened it, and then his voice broke sharply through +the thud of the hammers.</p> +<p>“Can’t you move? I’m too far from that lamp,” he +said.</p> +<p>He scrambled by Wheeler and crouched close beneath +the smoky, flickering flame, dripping, spattered with mire, +and very grim in face. The note was from Violet Hamilton, +and it was brief.</p> +<p>“I should like to see you as soon as you can get +away,” it read. “There is something I must say, and +since it might spare both of us pain, I feel almost tempted +to try to explain it now. That, however, would perhaps +be weak of me, and I think you will, after all, not +blame me very greatly.”</p> +<p>He flung the note down in the water, and straightened +himself wearily.</p> +<p>“I am invited to go down to Bonavista, and it’s +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_314' name='page_314'></a>314</span> +tolerably clear that I have another trouble to face,” he +announced in a dull tone. “In the meanwhile there’s this +heading to be pushed on, and it seems to me that the +thing that counts most is what I owe the boys.”</p> +<p>Wheeler, who had heard something from Gordon, +looked at him with grave sympathy, but Nasmyth made +an expressive gesture as he glanced down at his attire.</p> +<p>“Well,” he remarked, “I probably look very much +what I am––a played-out borer of headings and builder +of dams, who has just now everything against him. Still, +I was fool enough to indulge in some very alluring fancies +a little while ago.” He turned to Wheeler with a +sudden flash in his eyes. “You can take those letters to +Gordon and tell him to open them. I’ve a little trouble +to grapple with, and I don’t feel inclined for conversation.”</p> +<p>Wheeler could take a hint, and he crawled away along +the heading, while Nasmyth toiled for the next half-hour +strenuously at the machine. The perspiration dripped +from him. He gasped as he ripped the handle around; +then he let it go suddenly, and his face became softer as +he picked up the letter again.</p> +<p>“Well,” he told himself, “I don’t think I can blame +her, after all, and with what she has to say it would hurt +if I kept her waiting.”</p> +<p>He sat down again at the machine, and the boring tool +crunched on steadily into the rock until after some time, +a man took his place, and, crouching in the narrow heading, +swung the heavy hammer as they wedged the extra +timbers fast. A faint grey light was creeping into the +eastern sky when Nasmyth crawled out of the heading +and scrambled back to the shanty. Gordon, who was +getting up when he entered, looked at him curiously.</p> +<p>“I’m going into Bonavista after breakfast,” Nasmyth +said. “I don’t want to leave the boys now, but I can’t +help it.”</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_315' name='page_315'></a>315</span></div> +<p>Gordon asked no injudicious questions, for Wheeler +had mentioned the letter, and his comrade’s voice had its +significance for him.</p> +<p>“Then,” he said, “I’ll tell Mattawa to have the horse +ready.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth slept soundly until the meal was laid out. +He rode into the settlement a little before dark that +night. It was the next afternoon when he reached Bonavista, +and he found Violet Hamilton sitting upon the +veranda alone. She appeared embarrassed when she saw +him, and he leaned against one of the pillars, quietly +looking down on her. For a moment or two neither of +them said anything, and it was Nasmyth who broke the +awkward silence.</p> +<p>“I felt very bitter when I got that note,” he said. +“When I grappled with the thing, however, I commenced +to realize that you might be right. Of course, I quite +realized all you wished to imply.”</p> +<p>“Ah!” answered the girl softly, “then you are not +very angry with me.” She leaned forward and met his +gaze. “I think we were both very nearly making a terrible +mistake.”</p> +<p>“I scarcely think that is a thing you could expect me +to admit––that is, at least, as far as my part in it goes,” +said Nasmyth.</p> +<p>“Still,” replied Violet, “you admitted that you felt I +might be right.”</p> +<p>She looked anxious, and Nasmyth realized that, since +she might have written what she had to say, it must have +cost her a good deal to break with him personally. The +courage which had prompted her to summon him appealed +to him, and, in place of anger, he was conscious of +a certain sympathy for her.</p> +<p>“In one sense you were certainly right,” he said. +“We belong to different worlds, and I should never have +spoken to you as I did. That is a thing you must try to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_316' name='page_316'></a>316</span> +forgive me, and you have no reason to blame yourself. +As I told you at the time, you were free.”</p> +<p>“Ah!” cried Violet, “you are very generous. After +all, I expected that from you, and I think it will not +hurt you very much to give me up.”</p> +<p>“I wonder why?” asked Nasmyth gravely.</p> +<p>Violet sat silent a moment or two, and then looked up +at him quietly.</p> +<p>“Oh,” she said, “you owe so much to that girl in the +Bush! She would always have come between us. I +think you made me recognize it when you told me about +her, though it was only by degrees I came to understand +it clearly.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth’s face flushed. “That,” he queried, “is +your reason for wishing to get rid of me?”</p> +<p>Violet looked away from him, and there was a telltale +self consciousness in her manner when she turned to him +again. Nasmyth, who noticed it, winced.</p> +<p>“Well,” he hazarded, “it was, perhaps, not the only +one.”</p> +<p>“No,” confessed Violet very softly, “there was another +thing which influenced me rather more.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth, who understood her, stood silent a moment +or two, with one hand tightly closed. “In that case +there is nothing to be said, and I must try to face it gracefully,” +he told her. “Reproaches are not exactly becoming +in the case of a discarded man.” He took off his +wide hat as he held out his hand. “Miss Hamilton, the +thing naturally hurts me, but perhaps I cannot reasonably +blame you. I’m not sure you could expect me to go any +further now.”</p> +<p>“Ah!” exclaimed Violet, “you have made it easy. I +would like to assure you of my good-will.”</p> +<p>He held her hand a moment and swung abruptly away. +He met Mrs. Acton as he went down a corridor. He +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_317' name='page_317'></a>317</span> +stopped in front of her, and she looked at him questioningly +when she saw his face.</p> +<p>“I have not come up to expectations. It is, perhaps, +fortunate Miss Hamilton found it out when she did,” he +said.</p> +<p>“Oh!” Mrs. Acton replied, “I told you it would not +be well to stay away very long.”</p> +<p>“I scarcely think the result would have been different +in any case,” Nasmyth declared.</p> +<p>Mrs. Acton was silent for a moment. Then she looked +at him sharply.</p> +<p>“Where are you going now?” she asked.</p> +<p>“Back to the world I belong to,” answered Nasmyth,––“to +the railroad, in the first case. I’m not sure that +Miss Hamilton would like to feel that I was in the +house.”</p> +<p>Mrs. Acton made no protest, and ten minutes later he +had crossed the clearing and plunged into the Bush.</p> +<p>Mrs. Acton, crossing the veranda, laid her hand on the +girl’s shoulder.</p> +<p>“I naturally don’t know what he said to you, but I +can’t help believing that he acquitted himself rather well,” +she observed. “After all, it must have been a little painful +to him.”</p> +<p>“Perhaps it was,” replied Violet. “Still, I don’t think +it hurt him dreadfully.”</p> +<p>She was more or less correct in this surmise, for, as +Nasmyth walked on through the Bush, he became conscious +of a faint relief.</p> +<hr class='toprule' /> +<div class='chsp'> +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_318' name='page_318'></a>318</span> +<a name='CHAPTER_XXXI_THE_LAST_SHOT' id='CHAPTER_XXXI_THE_LAST_SHOT'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER XXXI</h2> +<h3>THE LAST SHOT</h3> +</div> +<p>Laura Waynefleet was preparing breakfast, +and the door of the ranch stood open, when she +heard the sharp clatter of the flung-down slip-rails in the +fence across the clearing jar upon the stillness of the surrounding +woods. It was early in the morning, and since it +was evident that, if the strangers who were approaching +came from the settlement, they must have set out as soon +as it was light, she decided that their business was probably +urgent. Laying down the frying-pan in which she was +making flapjacks, she moved toward the door, and stood +watching two men ride across the clearing in the direction +of the house. They did not belong to the settlement, for +she had never seen either of them before, a fact which +made it clear that they had not ridden in from the cañon. +She had quick eyes, and she noticed that, although they +could not have ridden very far that morning, their horses +appeared jaded, which suggested that they had made a +long journey the previous day. The men appeared weary, +too, and she imagined that they were not accustomed to +the Bush.</p> +<p>As she watched them she wondered with a trace of +uneasiness what their business could be, and decided that +it was, perhaps, as well that her father was busy in the +stable, where he could not hear them arrive. Since Gordon +usually called at the ranch when he went down to +the settlement, she was more or less acquainted with what +was being done at the cañon and with Nasmyth’s affairs, +and she was on her guard when one of the strangers +pulled his horse up close in front of her.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_319' name='page_319'></a>319</span></div> +<p>“Can we hire a couple of horses here?” he asked. +“Ours are played out.”</p> +<p>There was then a cayuse pony in Waynefleet’s stable, +but it belonged to a neighbouring rancher, and Laura had +no intention of handing it over to the strangers.</p> +<p>“I’m afraid not,” she answered. “The only horse on +the ranch does not belong to us, and I wouldn’t care to +hire it out unless I had permission. Besides, I may want +it myself. You could have obtained horses at the settlement +hotel.”</p> +<p>“We didn’t put up there.”</p> +<p>“But you must have come through the settlement. +You have evidently ridden in from the railroad.”</p> +<p>The man laughed. “Well,” he admitted, “we certainly +did, but we got off the trail last night, and they +took us in at Bullen’s ranch. Soon after we started out a +chopper told us we could save a league by riding up the +valley instead of by the settlement. Does the man +you said the horse belonged to live in the neighbourhood?”</p> +<p>Laura did not answer immediately. She was quick-witted, +and she recognized that, while the man’s explanation +was plausible, there were weak points in it. For one +thing, the previous night had not been dark, and it was +difficult to understand how anyone could have wandered +off the wide trail to the settlement into the one which led +through thick undergrowth to Bullen’s ranch. She guessed +that the strangers must have had an object in not visiting +the settlement. Then there was, it seemed to her, something +suggestive in the fact that Bullen, who had a share +in Nasmyth’s project, and owned several horses, had not +seized upon the opportunity to aid the travellers, for, if +he had not been willing to lend his horses, it could only +have been because he was a little dubious about the +strangers.</p> +<p>“The man who owns the horse lives at least an hour’s +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_320' name='page_320'></a>320</span> +ride away,” she informed the stranger. “You are going +on into the Bush?”</p> +<p>“Yes,” answered the man. “Can you tell us the easiest +way to reach the cañon?”</p> +<p>Laura was glad that he had asked for the easiest route, +for soon after the snow had gone, Nasmyth had broken +out a shorter and somewhat perilous trail over the steepest +part of the divide. Only the pack-horses now went round +by the longer way. She thought hard for a moment or +two, and then told the man how to find the old trail.</p> +<p>He rode away with his companion, and Laura’s face +was thoughtful when she sat down again. She made a +hasty breakfast, and went out to the stable. Waynefleet +was still busy when she reached it, and she took +down the side-saddle before she turned to him.</p> +<p>“I have left your breakfast ready, but you must excuse +me,” she announced; “I am going to the cañon.”</p> +<p>Waynefleet raised his brows and looked at her with +his most precise air, but, seeing that had no effect, he +made a gesture of resignation.</p> +<p>“Very well,” he said. “I presume you do not, as +usual, think it worth while to acquaint me with your +object.”</p> +<p>Laura laughed. “I’m not exactly sure of it myself. +I may tell you a little more when I come back.”</p> +<p>She led the horse out, and, crossing the clearing, rode +hard for a league or so, and then made sure by the prints +of their horses’ feet that the strangers had followed her +instructions before she struck into the shorter trail. It +was scarcely wide enough to ride along, and for a while +dense thickets of fern and undergrowth closed in on it. +Further on, it skirted a quaggy swamp, and led through +several rapid creeks, while here and there great fallen +trees compelled her to turn aside, and there were groves +of willows to be painfully struggled through. The cayuse +she rode was, however, more or less accustomed to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_321' name='page_321'></a>321</span> +that kind of work, and she made tolerable progress until +she reached the foot of the big divide. There she dismounted, +and led the cayuse up a steep gully through +which a torrent poured. They stumbled amidst big +boulders and over slippery shingle until they reached the +head of the gully, and then there were almost precipitous +slopes of rock to be faced. They climbed for a couple +of hours, and Laura gasped with relief when at last she +stood upon the crest of the divide.</p> +<p>The descent was perilous, but already the sun hung +low above the western hills, and she went down in the +saddle with the cayuse slipping and stumbling horribly, +until the roar of the river came faintly up to her. Then +she drew bridle, and glanced ruefully at her attire. Her +skirt was rent in places, and one little shoe had burst. A +branch that had torn her hat off had loosened a coil of +gleaming hair, and, anxious as she was, she stopped for +several minutes to set these matters straight as far as it +was possible. There was, she felt, after all, no reason +why Nasmyth should see her in that state. Then she +rode on, and a little later a man appeared among the +pines at the head of the gully. She was very weary when +she got down beside him.</p> +<p>“Have two strangers arrived here yet?” she asked.</p> +<p>“They haven’t,” answered the man.</p> +<p>Laura was glad she had undertaken the journey when +she saw the sudden intentness of his face.</p> +<p>“Two of them are on the trail?” he inquired sharply.</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Laura. “They have gone round by the +pack-horse trail. I rode in by the new one.”</p> +<p>The man was astonished that she had accomplished +the trip, and she saw that he was troubled.</p> +<p>“Well,” he advised, “you had better go right on and +tell Nasmyth as quick as you can. It’s my business to see +no strangers get in, or I’d go with you.”</p> +<p>Laura left the horse with him, and, descending the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_322' name='page_322'></a>322</span> +gully, found an unusual number of men busy beside the +river. In fact, she believed that all those who had been +at work in the valley must have crossed the range to the +cañon. It was also evident from their faces that most +of them were in a state of eager expectation. Something +out of the usual course was clearly going on. She asked +for Nasmyth, and a few moments later he came scrambling +towards her along the log staging. There was, she +was quick to notice, a strained look in his eyes, but he +shook hands with her, and then, remembering the state +of her attire, she coloured a little.</p> +<p>“Do you expect two men from the city to-night?” +she asked.</p> +<p>Nasmyth started. “I have, at least, been wondering +when they would turn up,” he answered. “There are +two men of that kind on the trail?”</p> +<p>His voice was sharp and insistent, and Laura told him +hastily about the men who had called at the ranch.</p> +<p>“From what you say, they can’t well be here for +another hour or two,” he said, and there was a determined +glint in his eyes. “I fancy we’ll be through by +then.”</p> +<p>He swung around, and raised a hand to the men. +“Boys, you’ll get the last holes filled with giant-powder +as quick as you can, and couple up the firing battery. +We’ll lift that rock right out when you’re ready.”</p> +<p>He turned again to Laura. “I’m not sure you understand +all that you have done,” he said. “For one thing, +I think, you have saved us from being beaten when what +we have fought for was almost in our hand.”</p> +<p>He paused for a moment, and then his voice became +hoarse as he indicated the clustering men with a little +forceful gesture.</p> +<p>“They have come in to see the last shot fired. We +had arranged to put in a few more sticks of powder, and +then lower the river once for all in another hour or two. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_323' name='page_323'></a>323</span> +Some of the boys are now getting a big supper ready to +celebrate the occasion, but if you hadn’t brought us the +warning, it’s scarcely likely that any of us would have +felt much inclined for festivity. In all probability, those +strangers are bringing an order to restrain me from going +any further. Once it was in my hands, I could not have +fired the shot. All we have done would have been +thrown away.”</p> +<p>“Ah!” cried Laura, “that would be intolerable!”</p> +<p>Nasmyth laughed significantly.</p> +<p>“Any way,” he declared, “until the papers are served +on me, my charter stands. We’ll have scattered the last +strip of rock when those men ride in.”</p> +<p>He made her a grave little bow. “You set us to +work,” he said. “It is only fitting that you should once +more hold the firing battery.”</p> +<p>He moved away abruptly from her and crawled into +the heading. It was half an hour later when he came +back, and almost every man who had a share in the undertaking +gathered upon the strip of shingle. Nobody +spoke, however, and there was tense expectancy in the +bronzed faces. Nasmyth beckoned to Laura and moved +forward with Gordon, and Wheeler, who carried the +battery. Nasmyth swung his battered hat off as he held +out his hand, and Laura, clinging to him, climbed to a +shelf of rock where she stood still a moment or two, looking +about her.</p> +<p>In front the white spray of the fall whirled beneath +the tremendous wall of rock, and about her stood groups +of hard-handed men, who had driven the heading with +strenuous, insistent toil. She knew what the work had +cost them, and could understand the look in their steady +eyes. They had faced the river in the depths of the tremendous +rift, borne with the icy winter, and patiently +grappled with obstacle after obstacle. Their money had +not sufficed to purchase them costly machines. They had +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_324' name='page_324'></a>324</span> +pitted steadfast courage and hardened muscle against the +vast primeval forces of untrammelled Nature. Laura +felt deeply stirred as she glanced at them. They were +simple men, but they had faced and beaten roaring flood +and stinging frost, caring little for the hazard to life +or limb as they played their part in that tremendous struggle +with axe and drill.</p> +<p>Suddenly Laura became conscious that Nasmyth, who +held up a little box from which trailed a couple of wires, +was speaking.</p> +<p>“Our last dollars bought that powder. Wish us good +luck,” he said.</p> +<p>Laura stretched out her hands for the box, and standing +upon the rock shelf, with one shoe burst and her +skirt badly rent, raised her voice as she had done in that +spot once before.</p> +<p>“Boys,” she said, “you have stood fast against very +heavy odds. May all that you can wish for––orchards, +oat-fields, wheat, and cattle––be yours. The prosperity of +this country is founded on such efforts as you have made.”</p> +<p>With a little smile in her eyes, she fitted in the firing-plug, +and in another moment a streak of flame that seemed +to expand into a bewildering brilliancy flashed through +the spray of the fall. The flash of light was lost in +rolling smoke and a tremendous eruption of flying rock +that rang with deafening detonations against the side of +the cañon. The smoke rolled higher, and still great +shattered fragments came whirling out of it, striking +boulder and shingle with a heavy crash, until the roar +of the liberated river rose in tumultuous clamour and +drowned all other sound.</p> +<p>A great foaming wave swept forward, washing high +along the bank, and poured seething down the rapid. +Shingle and boulder were lost in it. It drove on tumultuously, +and a mad turgid flood came on behind. Then +it slowly fell away again, and a man, clambering out, in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_325' name='page_325'></a>325</span> +peril of being swept away, beneath the dripping rock, +flung up a hand. His voice rang harsh and exultant +through the sinking roar of the beaten river.</p> +<p>“We’ve cut the last ledge clean away,” he said.</p> +<p>A great shout went up, and Nasmyth held out his +hand to Laura.</p> +<p>“I owe it all to you,” he said with a curious gleam in +his eyes.</p> +<p>The men trooped about them both, and, though they +were not as a rule effusive, some of them thumped Nasmyth’s +shoulder and some wrung his hand. Half an hour +had slipped by before he was free of them.</p> +<p>He and Laura went slowly back up the climbing gully. +It was growing dark, but a light still streamed down between +the pines, and Nasmyth, who pointed to a tree that +had fallen, stood close by, looking down upon the girl.</p> +<p>“I will ride back with you presently, but you must +rest first; and I have something to say, though if we had +not beaten the river I think I should never have had +courage enough,” he said. “When you found me lying +in the snow, you took me in; you nursed me back to life, +gave me a purpose, and set me on my feet again.”</p> +<p>He paused for a moment. A flush dyed his worn face, +and his voice was strained when he went on again.</p> +<p>“One result was that I went back to the world I once +belonged to––it was really you who sent me––and you +know what befell me there,” he said. “I don’t think I +quite forgot what I owed to you, but I was carried away. +Still, she recognized her folly and discarded me.”</p> +<p>He stopped again, and Laura looked at him steadily +with a tinge of colour in her face.</p> +<p>“Well,” he continued, “that was when I commenced +to understand exactly what you had been all along to me. +I don’t know what came upon me at Bonavista; but +though the thing must seem preposterous, I believe I was +in love with you then. Now I have nothing to bring +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_326' name='page_326'></a>326</span> +you. You know all my weak points, and I could not +complain if you would not listen to me. But I have come +back to you again.”</p> +<p>“Ah!” answered Laura very softly, “after all, it was +fortunate that you went away. I think it was a relief +to me when Wisbech took you to the city.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth looked at her in surprise, and she smiled at +him. “Derrick,” she said, “once or twice when you +were building the dam you fancied that you loved me. I, +however, didn’t want you to fancy. That was only going +far enough to hurt me.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth stooped toward her. “In the height of my +folly I had an uneasy consciousness that I belonged to +you. Afterwards I was sure. It was a very real thing, +but I naturally shrank from coming to you. I don’t +quite know how I have gathered the courage now.”</p> +<p>Laura sat still, and he laid a hand on her shoulder. +Then she turned and looked up at him.</p> +<p>“Well,” she confessed very simply, “I think I loved +you in the days when you were building the dam.”</p> +<p>He bent down and kissed her, and neither of them +ever remembered exactly what they said.</p> +<p>A few minutes later there was a clatter in the shadow +above them, and two men came scrambling down, each +leading a jaded horse. Nasmyth rose and turned toward +them when they stopped close in front of him.</p> +<p>“You have some business with me?” he inquired.</p> +<p>One of them handed him a sealed paper, and he opened +it with deliberation.</p> +<p>“I may as well tell you that I expected this,” he said. +He glanced at Laura. “I am summoned to attend in +Victoria and show cause why I should not be restrained +from injuring the holding of a rancher at the head of the +valley. In the meantime I am instructed to carry on the +operations in the cañon no further.”</p> +<p>He turned to the men. “You should have come along +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_327' name='page_327'></a>327</span> +an hour or two ago. I don’t propose to do anything +further in the cañon; in fact, I have accomplished the +purpose I had in hand.”</p> +<p>As his meaning dawned on them, the men gazed at +each other in evident consternation, until one of them +turned to Laura.</p> +<p>“Well,” he commented, “in that case I guess it’s quite +a pity we didn’t, but I begin to understand the thing. +This is the young lady who told us the trail. She must +have taken a shorter way.”</p> +<p>Laura smiled at him. “You,” she reminded him, +“seemed anxious to go by the easiest one.”</p> +<p>The other man looked at Nasmyth. “I’m acting for +Hutton, and it seems you have got ahead of him,” he observed. +“Still, we’re both out on business, and I don’t +bear you any ill-will. In fact, if you’re open to make any +arrangement, I should be glad to talk to you.”</p> +<p>Nasmyth smiled as he answered: “You can at least +come and get some supper. I expect the boys will fix you +and your horses for the night.”</p> +<p>They went down the gully together, and a few minutes +later walked into the flickering light of a great fire, near +which a rudely bountiful supper had been laid out. Nasmyth +pointed to the strangers.</p> +<p>“Boys,” he said, “these are the men we expected, but +I don’t think they mean to worry us now, and they’ve +had a long ride.” He turned to the strangers. “Won’t +you sit down?”</p> +<p>There was a great burst of laughter, and one of the +strangers smiled.</p> +<p>“We’re in your hands, but I don’t know any reason +why you shouldn’t be generous, boys,” he said.</p> +<p>He sat down, but for a moment or two Nasmyth and +Laura stood still in the glare of the fire, and the eyes of +everyone were fixed upon them. Laura’s face was flushed, +but Nasmyth was calm with a new dignity.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_328' name='page_328'></a>328</span></div> +<p>“We have a little more to do, boys, but we have left +the toughest of our troubles behind,” Nasmyth spoke in +confident tones. “We’ll have another supper when +we’re through with it, and I’ll expect every one of you +at the biggest event in my life.”</p> +<p>There was a great shout that rang through the roar of +the rapid and far across the climbing pines. Then the +men sat down, and it was a little while later when their +leader and the girl quietly slipped away from them. +Those who noticed this said nothing, and the men still +sat round the snapping fire when Nasmyth and Laura +crossed the ridge of the divide.</p> +<p>There was a moon above them, and the night was soft +and clear, while the Bush rolled away beneath, shadowy +and still. Only the turmoil of the river came faintly up +to them. The muffled sound sent a curious thrill through +both of them, but they were silent as they went down the +long slope among the climbing pines. Laura sat in the +saddle, looking out on the silent forest with eyes that +shone softly in the moonlight, and Nasmyth walked beside +her, with his hand on the pack-horse’s bridle. They +had both borne the stress and strain, but now as the pack-horse +plodded on they were conscious only of a deep contentment.</p> +<p style='text-align:center;margin-top:1.5em;margin-bottom:1em'>THE END</p> + +<!-- generated by ppg.rb version: ppg0804 --> +<!-- timestamp: Sun Aug 09 05:20:34 -0600 2009 --> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Greater Power, by +Harold Bindloss and W. 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